Powerful war epic with extreme political message

Rating: 9/10 (7 November 2005)

Jarhead is probably one of the most controversial films I have seen this year...if not ever. I will make a bold statement and say that "Jarhead" will be for this generation what Apocalypse Now was for the Vietnam Generation. Without a doubt it will become a classic war film talked about for years. I didn't have a lot of expectation going into the film so it surprised me in many forms. I honestly didn't believe for a moment that actor Jake Gyllenhaal could impress me or pull off the role in this film. Jarhead seemed to me to be far grittier, and tougher than what I would have thought Gyllenhaal could do. I was very, very wrong.
In fact Gyllenhaal is excellent in the lead role of Swoff, a 20 year old soldier who chooses the Marines instead of college and then realizes far too late he might not have made the right decision. He leaves behind his youthful existence, his beautiful girlfriend, all for the sake of The Marines. Gyllenhaal only plays the new kid for a brief moment before he truly is one of the toughest sons of bitches there. He's hungry for action, he takes care of his new family, he trains, he follows, he leads, he nearly loses his mind and he is so incredibly watchable while doing it. He even overshadowed Jamie Foxx. That's not to say Foxx didn't pull off yet another incredible performance as Staff Sgt. Sykes. He's very tough on the men, a great trainer but deeper than that he's a great soldier and it shows. His deep set patriotism and love for the marines does show through in everything he does. Gyllenhaal definitely gets more of the performance though because his character goes through so many ranges of emotions. His performance is jaw dropping. Now let's talk supporting actor Peter Sarsgaard. He's been making a name for himself in the last year or so as the good guy who turns out to be a bad guy and I can't say I've particularly enjoyed his performances thus far. And yet here he is breaking that mold for me. His performance as Troy, the troops leader, is also stunning. His performances have always been very bland to me and at first I thought Jarhead would be no exception until you get to the meat of it all and he pulls off an Oscar Worthy performance. His emotions, and character will make you feel it. His scene opposite Dennis Haysbert of 24 fame (well at least that's where he gains his fame with me) was powerful!! Each character in this film and in their unit were so different, and gave us a different angle of the war and how each one of them felt, what they gave up, their lives before, during, and even after the war and the marines.
That's the brilliance of Jarhead. Sam Mendes made a war film that is against war, and a war film where there is very little war but rather the deep seeded effects of war. From the enemy, to the American, to the innocent civilians. The scenes of the decaying corpses on the roadside will make you sick and the symbolism and imagery in this film is just stand out!!! He doesn't stop at just showing us a war, he takes us on the entire life path of a solider. Beginning to end. He even shows us the side of the solider that so few war films ever show and that's after it's all over, the effects they have, how it changes their lives forever. "No matter what a man does, he will always remember the rifle." This is not your average popcorn and a movie kinda flick. This is far more intelligent than some will realize. The only downside to it is that it gives "swear like a solider" a whole new meaning because the language in the film will make your ears bleed. It's horrendous. Lately I've really come to wonder about the portrayal of the American Military in films. After seeing films like Tigerland and even this film the conditions in the military are horrendous. Is it really like this?? I'd love to know. I understand the conditioning of a solider and even why they would behave this way but still a film like this would make anyone shy away from ever wanting to join the military but isn't that the goal?? Isn't that the message here that these men and women love their country so much that they put their lives on the line and do whatever it takes only to be taken advantage of?? I don't know...right or wrong, I'm not on here to make that argument, only to say that Jarhead will make you think!! It's the greatest conversation piece in cinema in a very long time. I hope this film sweeps the Oscars because despite the political message and the hidden agenda that does exist, the performances are powerful and amazing. It does drag a little at times, and I'm not sure a single shot is fired which makes it all the more unique but you can't miss out watching these amazing actors. The film has humor, intense drama, horrifying scenes and captivating setting. The scenes shot around the burning oil wells are spectacular. Anyone wanting to see the most intelligent film of the year needs to check out Jarhead.