could've been better

Rating: 6/10 (13 November 2005)

I was both exhilarated and disappointed with this flic. Having had our surfeit of Vietnam War movies (one of which becomes a scene focus early in this film), it's nice to see the anti-war genre continue to promote the message using more recent conflicts. Photography is excellent; composition of scenes is vibrant; soundtrack is an integral part of the movie...vintage stuff that comments on the accompanied scene.
Gyllenhaal is a good actor but there are times when he slips out of character...when it seems to be him and not Swoff(ord); too much reliance on the eye shots (the 'windows-to-the soul' dramatic close-up) and too little attention to encompassing body language and gesture. Desert scenes are contrived but evocative. Does not attempt to be a realistic portrayal of Desert Storm or any other recent conflict but rather to be a gritty portrayal of 'normal' young men thrust into situations that no 'normal' civilized person should have to face.
It's partially successful in a comfortable, sanitized way. Tries to be realistic in exploitative ways which is a real pity because the message that is espoused doesn't need any phony emphasis.
Chris