Muddled plot with some a strong performance makes Jarhead a mediocre film

Rating: 6/10 (15 November 2005)

'Jarhead' is the latest film film from Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes ('American Beauty', 'Road to Perdition') about a Marines unit during the Gulf War. The story revolves around sniper Anthony "Swoff" Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his scout friend Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) as they serve their tour of duty in Iraq. They are commanded by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx), a tough-as-nails leader who demands complete motivation and hard work. As the film progresses, the viewer begins to understand more and more the situation that Swofford and co. face.
The Gulf War was very short - only four days and the film makes a point about this. Swofford and Troy are trained to fight against the Saddam Hussein's troops who have invaded Kuwait only the war is over before they can actually kill anyone. Swofford wrote an autobiography of his experiences about the futility of training young men to fight without ever actually giving them the opportunity. However, as interesting a point this is to make the film ends up feeling muddled and dull.
In the Stanley Kubrick film 'Full Metal Jacket' the viewer sees Marines being drilled to become perfect, mean, killing Marines and perhaps even robots. The difference between 'Jarhead' and 'Full Metal Jacket' is that the former does not devote as much time to build up this vital plot point. There are scenes that involve a drill instructor and a boot camp but they are not nearly on the same level and intensity, nor does it really push through the plot. The entire film talks about the daily boredom the Marines face in Operation Desert Shield then Iraqi Desert Storm as they eagerly wait for the chance to shoot at the enemy. However the film feels stretched out and has some bizarre scenes that apparently serve as metaphors. As someone who has not read the novel I can not accurately comment on whether or not the film incorporated the elements from the novel although screenwriter William Broyles Jr. ('Apollo 13', 'Unfaithful') seems to muddy up several scenes. The viewer gets a sense of the irate atmosphere but that does not mean it has to be dull and long. Although this is the main flaw of the film, there are some positive elements.
Sarsgaard has proved himself a capable actor in films like 'Garden State' and 'Kinsey' and here he lives up to the reputation. He has one very emotional scene towards the end where he perfectly delivers the difficult emotions and his frustration with the situation. Gyllenhaal also proves himself talented although it feels as if he is a pedestrian, and as if he is the lenses for which the audience sees everything through. Oscar winner Foxx also plays his role with solid charisma, although he is given less to do than in his sublime performances in 'Collateral' or 'Ray'. Other notable cast members include Chris Cooper as a Lt. Col. and Dennis Haysburt as a Major who causes some big problems for the main characters. There are also some impressive technical elements.
Ace director of photography Roger Deakins has some striking images such as burning oil fields and the dry heat of the desert frustrating the Marines. Editor Walter Murch is able to inter cut splice in some nice imagery throughout although as mentioned before the film drags it's heels. Mendes expressed admiration for how Kubrick directed 'Full Metal Jacket' in previous interviews concerning the film. His admiration shows very clearly. He wants to make a strong point with 'Jarhead' without the messy elements of politics or modern day comparisons. And to some degree he succeeds yet at the same time the film feels disconnected. In 'Full Metal Jacket' there are some stark and fascinating caricatures of the Vietnam Marine yet Kubrick somehow infuses a life into those characters.
'Jarhead' is not necessarily a bad film, nor is it really a good film. It's mediocre and while the murky plot elements drag it down, Sarsgaard impresses very much and the visual elements are a plus. In some ways, it just could've been done better.
6/10