waiting waiting waiting

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2005)

This movie is a terrific depiction of the frustration of waiting for something to happen that you have been intensely preparing for. At times hilarious, at times horrifying, "Jarhead" brings the daily life of a soldier into clear focus. The desert is a character on its own, with a horizon of bleakness that is disheartening. The film is so washed-out you can feel the heat, which builds the anxiety and boredom levels for the characters. The scenes of the burning oil wells are devastating, the rain of oil crushing, but you understand the staff sergeant when he lovingly says nowhere else could you see such things but in the Marines. "Jarhead" is well-made and well-acted, and definitely worth seeing.