Memorial Day (reviewed)

This locally shot independent production tells the generation-spanning story of a Minnesota military family. James Cromwell (“Babe,” “The Artist”) plays a taciturn World War II veteran whose grandson coaxes the old man into sharing long-repressed memories of combat. In a parallel story, the now-grown grandson (Jonathan Bennett, “Mean Girls”) faces similar challenges in Iraq as a member of the Minnesota National Guard’s Red Bull Division. Cromwell nails a part that could have been maudlin, and his lookalike son James is perfectly cast as his younger self. The production is impressive thanks to assistance from the state National Guard, which provided modern helicopters and extras, and collectors of vintage combat vehicles, who contributed German halftracks and P-38 fighter aircraft. The film is as sincere as a recruiting poster, with similar dramatic depth. (104 min.) 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.