Jarhead - Sam Mendes - 2005
★★★★-Operation Dessert Storm movie. Portrayed in all its futility, with the Iraq War just getting started at the time of its release. Doesn't exactly make me wish I had enlisted instead of going to school.
Directed by Sam Mendes. He also did American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Skyfall, Spectre, and 1917. A real talent, this guy. Have to be to get a pair of Bond films.
The film delves into the psychological study of a U.S. Marine sniper during the Gulf War dealing with existential issues with meaning, purpose, and boredom. Hones in on the isolation and monotony that the soldiers experienced in that mostly forgotten war. Adapted from Anthony Swofford's memoir of the same name.
The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford, who gives a great performance. Shows a lot of subdued range. Others in the ensemble include Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, Lucas Black, Dennis Haysbert, and Chris Cooper, who are all at the top of their collective games.
Criticized for a lack of a strong emotional impact. I strongly disagreed with that assessment, as the movie hammers home the delayed psychological effects of traumatic experiences in a morally dubious war that started a fight with consequences for a generation that are still ever-present. A good introspective exploration of war. Definite recommend, even as one opposed to both this war and the next one.
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