Recruiter, The

Uncle Sam wants you -- and so does Sgt. First Class Clay Usie, one of the most successful recruiters in U.S. Army history. With the military facing its toughest period of enlistment due to mounting dangers in Iraq, The Recruiter from HBO Documentary Films(r) takes viewers to a Louisiana coastal community, where we witness firsthand Sgt. Usie's intense struggle to enlist new soldiers. Among the young people on whom the charismatic recruiter sets his sights are four teenagers with different reasons and rationales for joining the Army. The film shows the new recruits as Sgt. Usie prepares them for boot camp and hopefully a successful transition from civilians to soldiers, offering a glimpse of the human drama surrounding the decision to enlist. [Official Selection 2008 Sundance Film Festival laurels]

• documentary
• drama