This film would best address an audiance of young to middle aged adults, possibly with military ties such as being a veteran. These people would have an interest in the acountability of the goverment and its various agencies and branches.
The viewpoints of elected goverment officials on the state and federal levels are lacking from this film.
To enhance it's eduacational value, more of the scientific links between the chemicals and environmental hazards present at camp lejeune could have been explored and not just stated as a fact.
The goal of the Jerry and the other people persuing the Marine Corps in this film is to get the corps to come clean and live up to their motto "Semper Fi - Always Faithful." They want the corps to own up to the injustices committed and be faithful to those who served at the bases, providing for the effected and their families.
I followed up on other environmental concerns relating to US military operations, other water contamination crises (both military and civilian), and i looked more into the history of Camp Lejeune.
United States Marine Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger lived with his family on Marine Base Lejeune in North Carolina after returning from the Vietnam War in the 1970s. His daughter was diagnosed and died from leukemia. The film follows Sergeant Ensminger on his journey to find justice for his daughter and others affected by chemicals in the bases potable water from 1959-1985. The United States Marine Corp hid reports of carcinogens and other toxic chemicals that had polluted the bases water. The film also investigates the pollution of water from other military bases.
The argument/narrative is made and sustained by the use of Sgt. Ensminger's back story and the stories of other Marine's and their families. The film includes interviews with chemist who tested the base's water supply in the 1980's, Senate and House committee meetings, testimony from USMC Colonel, and current chemical investigations at military bases.
The main stakeholders portrayed in this film is the Marines and family members of Marines living at Camp Lejeune. Many of them have been diagnosed with cancer, likely caused by chemicals in the base's water supply. Several of the victims have united to question the government and the actions they failed to take after reports of polluted water.
Emergency responders are not portrayed in this film.
The most persuasive/ compelling parts of the film include narratives of the family members of those affected with cancer. One of the more emotional segments included the death of a Marine that the film had been following.