As its title implies, The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez (2006) tells the story of a young man whose existence was cut short. As the first Marine who died during America's invasion of Iraq in 2003, Gutierrez was given a proper burial in a flag-draped coffin. Along with over 30,000 registered soldiers in the Armed Forces, however, he was not a citizen of the United States. Known as "green card soldiers", these young men fight for a country they're not even a part of; most hope to gain citizenship in the process, but some aren't so lucky.

Growing up in the slums of Guatamala during its civil war, Gutierrez was no stranger to conflict. Family and friends described him as a street smart boy who showed a passion for art, hoping to attend school and become an architect. He eventually planned his escape north through Mexico and to the American border, as recounted by Gutierrez's sister through letters from the road. Eventually, the young man slipped inside and fell under the wing of social workers and foster parents. Gutierrez even attended high school, passing himself off as a minor. A young appearance disguised the fact that he was actually 22.

Much to the surprise of family and friends in both countries, Gutierrez joined the military shortly before the invasion of Iraq. He was killed by friendly fire in March 2003. Directed by Swedish filmmaker Heidi Specogna, The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez attempts to piece together the experiences of a young man about which little is known. Through letters, interviews with his sister and glimpses of the environment he grew up in, we get a faint idea of what life might've been like for Gutierrez. Through the words of his fellow soldiers, we get a clear idea of his tragic death.

Specogna's broad strokes occasionally miss their mark. From the film's synopsis and even the DVD packaging, we get the impression that Gutierrez's life will be shown front and center, in great detail. The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez proves to be more about the epidemic of children in poverty, some of whom cling to ideals and dreams of a better life. Substantial portions of the film's 89-minute running time branch off into tangents---and while it's obvious that Specogna is trying to find glimpses of Gutierrez in other children, the film's abstract presentation grows occasionally frustrating.

Still, The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez remains an emotional and passionate documentary told from a unique perspective. Gutierrez's story is strong enough to carry most of the weight, while a combination of photographs, letters and testimonials creates a certain mystique that helps maintain a level of focus. It's certainly not a documentary for all audiences; not because of the content or quality, but the unusually broad structure in which the story is told.

The slim DVD package by Atopia offers a mild amount of support for our main feature, but the lack of a commentary and other substantial extras doesn't make this a solid blind buy. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Presented in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio and enhanced for widescreen displays, The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez looks excellent for a modestly-budgeted documentary. Though a portion of the clips are limited to the original source material, newly-recoded interviews and photographs look terrific, boasting a natural color palette and solid black levels. Overall, there's very little to complain about here.

The Dolby Digital Stereo track is subdued but gets the job done, offering clear dialogue and music that don't fight for attention. Again, portions of the source material leave a bit to be desired, but that's certainly not the fault of the DVD presentation. The film's narration is offered in the original German or an English dub; optional English, Spanish, French and German subtitles are available for translation purposes only.

Poignant and somber, The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez gives us an unorthodox look at a most unusual story. The film's leisurely pace and drifting attention span may turn off those looking for a more straightforward biopic---and while these techniques may seem a bit self-indulgent, director Heidi Specogna's unique perspective paints a refreshingly unique portrait. Atopia's DVD presentation is decent but hardly overwhelming, offering a solid technical presentation but little in the way of bonus features. It's tough to recommend as a blind buy, but most documentary fans will find The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez a worthy weekend candidate. Rent It.