Jarhead, a very compelling film

Rating: Null/10 (30 October 2005)

I was privileged to see a screening of Jarhead recently and fully concur with the posted review. I think it is one of the finer films of the year. The film will surely be a very controversial piece of cinema especially in these divisive post 9/11, "America love it or love it times". It's a shame because the film has less to do with the politics of war then the unique personalities that made up a specific platoon of Marines in the first Gulf War. The title of the film derives from Anthony Swofford's very compelling novel about his adventures, a book that in no way demeans the heroism of the young men (and now young women) who live and die in the military. Thankfully, the director, Sam Mendes works for a very even-handed screenplay by William Broyles Jr. Thankfully, Jarhead lacks the jingoist simplicity of earlier offerings like The Sands of Iwo Jima and is not another display of sincere but ultimately faux patriotism like a John Wayne offering. It simply tells it like it was. It is a very fine film that will assure Sam Mendes' position as one of the great directors working in films. Broyle's screenplay is excellent and the ensemble of young actors led by Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx and Peter Sargaard is wondrous. Now the wait is on for an equally compelling work on the current military campaign in Iraq.