Dogma is a style that promotes an almost documentary style -- lots of available light and hand-held photography. Tigerland is Joel Schumacher's return to lower-budget films and he uses a style that big budget films can ape, but not match.

The Dogma style creates a closeness that isn't seen in high-gloss movies like Saving Private Ryan. The graininess gives a reality to the grit, mud and rain that the characters endure. The script is not BOTS (based on a true story), but it is influenced by the scriptwriter's own experiences. The larrikan Bozz is not based on a real person, however he is well-drawn and the ending is well-crafted to give a good sense of what happened to the men America sent to fight the forces of not-us.

At the infantry training ground, Tigerland, Private Bozz fights the military status quo questions the Vietnam War and his orders. His fellow recruits begins to take sides setting off a psychological battle.

A strong, tightly written and cut work, Tigerland is well worth the time.

Recommended.