Film Review: 'Served Like a Girl' Gives Female Military Veterans a Place in the Spotlight

As the conflict in Afghanistan enters its seventeenth year, Americans are witnessing the rise of a first generation whose entire life has been lived during an active war. For sixteen years, American troops have gone off to serve and fight, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq. As the wars continue to rage, more and more of our brave men and women return home to find their battles aren't over.

Conversations about our veterans tend to focus on the men. But women have played an equally vital role in the military. Although it wasn't until 2016 that women were officially allowed to apply for combat positions, they have served in combat support roles for decades.

A new documentary from Lysa Heslov seeks to put names and faces to women veterans. In "Served Like a Girl," she shares the stories of five specific women on their journey to compete in a unique beauty pageant: Ms. Veteran America. But the tales they tell are about so much more than big hair and fancy dresses.

Jaspen Boothe was the Army vet who launched Ms. Veteran America in 2011. After a series of catastrophic life events that included Hurricane Katrina, cancer, and homelessness, Boothe became a passionate supporter of homeless female veterans. According to the film, female veterans are the fastest growing homeless population in the United States. It is Boothe's fervent efforts that director Lysa Heslov uses to move her narrative forward. Boothe is the heart and soul that connects these women and their stories.

In speaking with Lysa Heslov and producer Linda Perry about the film, they discussed the process of selecting their subjects. Heslov explained:


Photo Credit: Brian Engler Pictured: Andrea Waterbury, Kerry Turner, Rachel Engler

"When I got the Top 25 , I had them fill out a questionnaire, and then I had them write things about themselves. And if something interested me, I would call them on the phone and have several conversations with them. I took the few I was really interested in and sent them their own video camera because I wanted to see how comfortable they were on film and talking about themselves. When I narrowed it down to 7 or 8, I would get on a plane and just go shoot them ."

The five women at the center of "Served Like a Girl" are Rachel Engler, Andrea Waterbury, Hope Garcia, Nichole Alred, and Denyse Gordon. Their painful, heartbreaking traumas are interwoven with cuts of pageant preparation in a way that is not quite seamless, but is infinitely hopeful. These women have suffered some of the worst things a person can endure, but instead of focusing solely on the pain, Heslov brilliantly weaves the past with the present, painting a complete picture of each woman.

Heslov described her relationship with them in this way:

"I did a lot of mirroring because I saw a lot of myself in them. It was really about them expressing their fears, what they felt comfortable doing, what they felt comfortable not talking about, creating healthy boundaries and keeping my word. And now they are family. They will always be a part of my life because you can't spend two and a half years with a group of people and then just walk away when it's over. We created a very lasting bond."

That relationship between director and subjects is evident in each frame. There aren't any wasted moments. No one is turned into a villain for dramatic purposes. And every story is presented as is. Nothing feels unnecessarily grim or glossy.

Grammy-nominee Linda Perry produced the film alongside Heslov. Of the director, she said:

"Lysa just constantly cracks me up. She's so dedicated to this and it's just going and going. Her passion, right down to the trailer. There was a trailer that was being put together that didn't have the heart and Lysa jumped in while at a protest rally, editing the trailer. I thought 'this trailer isn't going to come out that great, she's at a protest rally.' And then she sends the trailer and it's brilliant. so moving...she always amazes me."

As in most films, music is an important part of the overall experience. Perry's musical background was how she initially got involved in the project. What began as a request to use one particular song turned into an effective producing team. Music ties things together in a way that is simultaneously logical and emotional. The partnership was particularly effective when discussing the subject of music. During our conversation, the two almost jumped into their own competition to see who could praise the other the most.

Perry says, "Everything that Lysa did had a purpose and you feel that and you hear it."

"Served Like a Girl" is an important story that needed to be told. It feels close and intimate, while also bringing attention to a large-scale issue. The film is informative and enlightening without preaching. Without trying, it raises the constant, nagging question: what does it really mean to support our troops?

Heslov answered that question with a final thought about her hope for the film:

" people are educated and their eyes are opened, and then if they want to take action in getting involved with support groups with veterans in their local communities, with Final Salute...however they want to give back. And then some sort of changing legislature and creating transitional programs based solely for women. That's what is going to make a difference."

Perry added, "In order for things to change, it has to be seen...If it doesn't get to a certain level, you just don't see it. It gets overlooked. My hope is there is a surge of energy toward the film that pushes it higher and higher so it has a chance to be seen and has a chance to be spread around so it can cause change."

"Served Like a Girl" can currently be seen in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles.

GRADE: (★★★)

Tell us: Is there a female veteran in your life who "Served Like a Girl?" Comment below to let us know about her.

Click to Post