Last Flag Flying is a 2017 American war drama film directed by Richard Linklater, based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Darryl Ponicsan. The film stars Steve Carell as Larry "Doc" Shepherd, Bryan Cranston as Sal Nealon, and Laurence Fishburne as Reverend Richard Mueller. It also features appearances by J. Quinton Johnson, Deanna Reed-Foster, and Cicely Tyson.
The story takes place in 2003, when Doc's son, a Marine, is killed in the Iraq War. Doc decides to bury his son at home, instead of Arlington National Cemetery, and asks his old friends Sal and Mueller to accompany him on the journey. Along the way, the trio faces various challenges, including a clash with a Marine officer who insists on following protocol and a confrontation with Doc's ex-wife and her new husband.
As they travel, the three men bond over their shared memories of the Vietnam War and reflect on the effects it has had on their lives. Sal, a hard-drinking cynic, has struggled to hold down a job and maintain relationships, while Mueller, a former drug addict, has found solace in religion. Doc, who served as a medic in Vietnam, is haunted by memories of the war and has never fully recovered from the loss of his wife and son.
Last Flag Flying received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances and poignant themes. The film was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for Fishburne's performance. Despite the critical acclaim, it failed to find a wide audience and was considered a box office disappointment.
