Peereddi I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Michelle Ridley The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

Yazmin Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

peterdeuk What a perfect depiction of the life of a PTSD sufferer, understated and intimate - I have never seen such a candid portrayal of the day-to-day strife post-trauma!As a film it is beautifully directed and skilfully carried in virtual silence by Bryan Kaplan who is painfully insular and brooding, yet longing for connection and joys of the life he once had. Really enjoyed watching it and found it completely cathartic!

nammage I've seen several of these films over the years. They're not new. "First Blood" with Sylvester Stallone is one; heck that entire film series if all you're doing is focusing on John Rambo and not all the violent action. He was a lonely guy who wanted to be left alone or be somewhere quiet. He had the epitome of PTSD because he thought he could treat it himself; he didn't need anyone's help, and in their minds: if they didn't experience it themselves how could they help? Or, if they did experience it well...it's different, not the same because this is "my" experience etc., All of them are like that. All the films on the subject but none of them actually address the problem or attempt to relay an answer; just how this individual handled it and apparently they all handle it basically the same. Now, whether that's based on reality, or not, I really wouldn't know but to survive hell you have to be a tough person and tough people want to help they don't want any help. They're the heroes, no one else. Sure, they're there for their brothers and sisters but that's different because in that respect: they're one and the same. That's the overall message I've gotten from films such as this. And does it matter? Depends on who you are, I would expect.I'm more of a technical rater than one who puts much stock in the emotional quality etc., of a film; so, most my ratings are based on technical things. On a technical level it's average in parts and below average in other parts. This film is like you're the student in the community college course the main character plays, in the sense that you're talking about a nonsensical topic that only applies to a few. This film only applies to a few. Who those few are, I have no idea. It's not, in my opinion, for soldiers because they know it already, they've seen and heard it before. It means nothing to the vast majority of them even if they can relate. Someone here stated this film is a "character study". I totally disagree. A character study studies the different qualities and characterizations of an individual person. The main character has one quality shown. Sure, you could say when he's alone he's more angry and violent while in public he's calm and collect (mostly). That's just a façade, a guise, a mask and we all wear them from time to time. The idea is whether he, or any of us, can actually remove the mask and keep it off. Sadly, that's rare.The film is okay, overall. It's not exciting, humorous, or even emotional in some senses. Everyone is moving like the wind hitting a tree (some parts move a little but basically remains in place) and as almost always: there's nothing new here. It's relatable to those who've experienced some type of extreme trauma in their lives (war, abuse, police/fire etc.,) but to everyone else (and probably most of them) it's more of a borefest. It doesn't necessarily use 'quiet' to its benefit.

Chris Maltezos Director Geoff Ryan does a fine job with this quiet, observant character study. It's a slow and deliberate film that allows us to discover moments as the characters in the film do. Another plus is a terrific, understated yet bold performance by Bryan Kaplan as the angst filled protagonist. One of the joys of indie films is that they highlight character development through observance and raw honesty.

marshreed It is an unspoken rule that you don't disparage our nation's brave soldiers in any way, shape or form. Heck, Spam would be every mom's first choice for dinner if only the label depicted a smiling grunt waving the American flag. That said, any applause you hear for Geoff Ryan's "Fray" and protagonist Justin Williams is most likely being feigned.Williams is a vet who returns stateside after five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He finds himself in a small, depressed logging town. Clearly it's not his hometown so, other than his taking respite in the serene woodlands, we are left guessing why Williams chose to settle in the village from Deliverance.With no rhyme or reason, Williams takes one class in the local community college. He begins a romance with his professor and shortly moves in with her. This is where the movie falls off the cliff. In his first night with his love interest, Williams wakes up to a late night panic attack and leaves. What follows is a subtle montage of Williams wandering through the woods in the rain, sleeping in his truck, throwing himself in the mud and yet still showing up for job interviews as if he'd spent the night in a Courtyard Marriott. After forty five minutes of wondering, "What will he do next?" the movie ends abruptly with a cliché phone call to his doting professor.It is clear from the outset that Williams struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. He's been to hell on earth and back; we get it. Unlike similar films, however, there are no flashbacks; only the sounds of gunshots and shells exploding inside Williams' head. In The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise recalls a black and white vision of his regiment as it prepares to slaughter Indian women and children. Cruise's feelings are powerful and palpable. Williams "moments" don't have nearly the same impact. Despite the bare-bones plot, Bryan Kaplan plays the role well and the cinematography deserves special mention. I suppose Fray will satisfy cinephiles who enjoy character studies; for most others Fray will fall flat.