Be Good, Smile Pretty

Be Good, Smile Pretty is a profound and emotive documentary that speaks to the universal experience of loss, grief, and healing. Directed with immense emotional depth by Tracy Droz Tragos, it's a compelling exploration of the enduring cost of the Vietnam War through a deeply personal lens.

The film's narrative focuses on the journey of Tracy Droz Tragos, whose father, Lieutenant Steve Droz had been killed in the Vietnam War in 1969 when she was just three months old. Raised on fringe memories of her father and boxed photographs, Tragos lived most of her life with the invisible impact of the permanent hole her father's death left. It wasn't until she accidentally stumbles upon her father's name on a website dedicated to Vietnam War casualties that she decides to fill that void by embarking on a grieving quest to get to know the father she never got a chance to meet.

Be Good, Smile Pretty uses the personal experiences and testimonials from family members, war veterans, and others impacted by Lt. Steve Droz's death to paint a poignant image of a man whose life was cut short in the prime of his youth. But at the same time, it enriches its narrative by spotlighting the sheer scale of loss experienced due to the Vietnam War. With more than 58,000 American soldiers killed, the documentary emphasizes that this story is not unique to Tracy and her family.

In its exploration of unresolved pain and grief, the film also takes a broader sociopolitical tone. It's an implicit critique of the government and society's inability to recognize and empathize with the experience and trauma of war survivors. By candidly capturing the collateral damage of the war at the domestic level, Be Good, Smile Pretty puts forth the harrowing truth that these aren't abstract numbers; these were individuals with lives, dreams, families, and friends.

The title of the film, Be Good, Smile Pretty, is derived from a heartbreaking piece of advice Lt. Steve Droz left for his young daughter in a letter, showcasing his charisma and spirit. The documentary is permeated with such little personal details, bringing a heart-breaking intimacy to the narrative. The letter serves as an emotional backbone to the film, and as a poignant reminder that behind each serviceman or woman lost, there's a human story that continues affecting loved ones long after the soldier has fallen.

Emotionally charged and deeply moving, the documentary doesn't shy away from showing the raw emotional journey of Tragos. It allows us to witness Tragos's vulnerability as she interviews family members, her father's battlefield colleagues, and visits the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. The nature of her interactions and encounters unveils deep-seated emotions not only from Tragos herself but also from the people she meets. In doing so, Be Good, Smile Pretty transcends being a mere personal catharsis to a collective healing and a clarion call for empathy and understanding for grieving survivors.

The documentary is a blend of archival footage, photographs, and reflective interviews. The choice to weave the narrative through these different methods helps capture the temporal, spatial, and emotional dimensions of the story. The narrative transitions are done seamlessly, and the director's choice to use melancholic music adds an extra layer of emotional pull to the narrative.

With Be Good, Smile Pretty, Tracy Droz Tragos manages to build a remarkably poignant narrative around borrowed memories and the gaping void left by a life cut short. It is a testament to the human spirit and our innate desire to connect with our history, even if, at times, it means digging into painful pasts to seek closure. The emotional courage it takes to embark on such a journey, and to share it with the world, makes for a powerful viewing experience. Tragos’s film is reflective, compelling, and reaffirms that reconciling the pain of yesteryear is an essential part of the healing process. It compels viewers to reflect on the immeasurable cost of war beyond the battlefield.

In its essence, Be Good, Smile Pretty is a profound narrative of loss, grief, remembrance, and, ultimately, healing. It is a heartrending testament to the fact that every casualty in a war has a far-reaching ripple effect, touching countless lives. It's a powerful story that leaves you with a sense of gratitude, empathy, and a renewed understanding of the cost of freedom.