Jarhead

Genre: war drama
Director: Sam Mendes
Release: 2005
Studio: MP Kappa Prodns et al. - Universal
Rating: R
MBiS score: 7.5/10


If You Must Read Camus, Don’t do it in the John


Like other human undertakings, war has its own lingo. During World War II, the acronyms “snafu” (situation normal: all fucked up) and “fubar” (fucked up beyond all recognition) described the utter confusion prevalent on the battlefield. As evidenced in JARHEAD, both words still rang true fifty years later when Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his fellow soldiers walked the sand dunes of Kuwait during Gulf War I.

The film, based on Swoff’s real-life experiences, recounts his days as a U.S. Marine or, should I say, a killing machine for the Coalition against Iraq. From the humiliation of boot camp to that exhilarating moment when our hero can finally point his rifle at the enemy, you will see it all in brutal, raunchy and startling snippets. A military career represents an awesome test in which men are broken down, trained to withstand loneliness and pain, taught to shut up and to swallow their fear. These lessons of Marine life are well depicted here and appropriately acted, especially by Jake G. and Peter Sarsgaard as the enigmatic Troy.

Unfortunately, JARHEAD is not without weaknesses despite its realism and technical qualities. For one thing, it pales beside FULL METAL JACKET, a supreme war film for another generation, and lacks unity and drive as it focuses on day-to-day events. It is also hobbled by the exclusion of useful scenes that were relegated to a making-of companion piece; for instance, Troy’s background is hard to figure out if you haven’t seen both. As for the ending, it comes as an anticlimax – much like Operation Desert Storm itself – and Swoff’s return home seems a bit rushed. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy rough and ready war flicks, JARHEAD is a solid entry. It did not appeal greatly to me but, in all fairness, it serves a valid purpose. We all need an education in the art of war, if only to heed Swoff’s trenchant advice: “I’m 20 and I was dumb enough to sign a contract”.


MBiS

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