The Anomaly That Is "Jarhead"

Rating: 6/10 (7 November 2005)

Jarhead" is an anomaly of a film. Based on a book that details the account of one man's experience in the Marines during the first Gulf War, "Jarhead" is paradoxically neither a war movie nor an anti-war movie. It is instead a psychological drama about the torment of waiting for war to begin. And in this case, the "waiting" being the waiting for the war that only lasted a week, "Jarhead's" significance is lost in light of contemporary context and recent political contradictions. Nevertheless though, as one Marine in "Jarhead" so bluntly puts it, "Fuck politics. We're here now. All the rest is bullshit."
Therefore with that being said, "Jarhead" as a cinematic entity in itself, is a work of art. "American Beauty" auteur Sam Mendes brings an elegant sense of style and humor that elevates the movie from its psychological premise to a series of somewhat more familiar experiences to the viewer. For instance, by including scenes of male bonding, Marine life challenges, and "missing your girlfriend/wife" masturbation, Mendes creates a portrait of what being a Desert Storm jarhead must have been really like. His direction coupled with cinematographer Roger Deakins's eye for mirage-like, visually sumptuous images make "Jarhead" seem like more than the sum of parts.
Alas, Jake Gyllenhaal's performance as author/narrator Anthony Swofford, does not add to this equation, however. While Gyllenhaal performs admirably, the range of emotions he is supposed to go through by the film's end, do not feel distinct enough so viewers ever feel the change he's gone through is real. Nevertheless though, brilliant supporting performances by actors such as Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, and Chris Cooper all make up for this by adding wit, pathos, and respectability to their roles. Sarsgaard, in particular, standing out for his performance, as Anthony's bloodthirsty, psychologically troubled colleague, Troy.
In conclusion, "Jarhead" is an unfortunate disappointment. A work of art filled with beautiful imagery and sprinkled with several brilliant performances, yet nevertheless confounded by its lack of action scenes and its message's historical context, its anomaly is its own downfall. A really ambitious and thought-provoking film, "Jarhead" makes the torment now of people waiting for a real "war" film all the more anxious. Welcome to the suck, ladies and gentlemen; we might be waiting awhile.-- 6.5/10