A war movie without the fighting

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2005)

I had anticipated this movie for some time, so naturally I was worried about getting too hyped up about it. I don't have extensive knowledge about the mentality of Marines, but this movie came across as being very honest about the psyche and attitude of Marines in the modern United States. It's not pro- or anti-war, it just is what it is.
Jarhead simply tells the story of a Marine briefly before, during, and a little after the Gulf War. The film explores war more internally than externally, in large part because it was directed by Sam Mendes. The movie consists of many scenes where characters talk about how they feel, scenes where Swoff tries to keep himself together while worrying about war, hoping to see some action in the field, and dealing with being away from his girlfriend, and scenes of Marines hanging out and acting how young men act. Acted brilliantly (Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard, and Foxx keep the movie from ever feeling fake or dull), composed beautifully (the cinematography is wonderful, and Thomas Newman's score, as always, blends very well with the soundtrack for a distinct emotional tone), this is one of the best movies about war and the effects it has one people I've ever seen.