Every War Is Different, Every War Is the Same

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2009)

Excellently described, on the DVD sleeve: "'Jarhead' (the self-imposed moniker of the Marines) follows Swoff (Jake Gyllenhaal) from a sobering stint in boot camp to active duty, where he sports a sniper rifle through Middle East deserts that provide no cover from the heat or Iraqi soldiers. Swoff and his fellow Marines sustain themselves with sardonic humanity and wicked comedy on blazing desert fields in a country they don't understand against an enemy they can't see for a cause they don't fully grasp."
Sam Mendes' "Jarhead" very effectively captures the Humor, Fear, and Waiting of War - in this case, George H. Bush's 1991 "Desert Storm" to retrieve Kuwait from Iraq. Certainly, it helped to have adapted the story from participating Marine Anthony Swofford, who was "young and stupid" enough to have "got lost on his way to college," and volunteered. Of course, neither "Swoff" nor his brothers are really "stupid". The Marines may not possess knowledge about every subject under the desert sun, but they are human; and, they are treated with dignity and respect in this film.
Mr. Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard (as Troy), Lucas Black (as Kruger), Brian Geraghty (as Fergus), Jacob Vargas (as Cortez), Laz Alonso (as Escobar), Evan Jones (as Fowler), and Iván Fenyö (as Pinko) are a terrific Unit. Jamie Foxx (as Sykes) is a perfect Lifer. Keep an eye on Mr. Sarsgaard "Troy" characterization, for a "Best Supporting Actor" caliber performance. Mr. Jones' "Fowler" is also letter-perfect. And, Roger Deakins' photography is spectacular.
One mistake the film makes is NOT developing some characters fully. Mr. Geraghty's "Fergus" and Mr. Fenyö's "Pinko" absolutely need more minutes on screen, considering their roles; and, the direction is good enough to warrant a longer running time. A "Director's Cut", or reading of the book, is necessary. The film doesn't just leave you wanting more, it needs more.
Semper Fi, Mr. Swofford!
******** Jarhead (11/4/05) Sam Mendes ~ Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Fox, Evan Jones