War is dangerous and mundane and random and brutal

Rating: 8/10 (31 August 2009)

If it is all possible I would recommend that you put out of your mind your opinion of the situation in Iraq before seeing this film.
It would be ludicrous of me to suggest that it is possible to make an apolitical film about Iraq but Kathryn Bigelow has come very close with this film.
The Hurt Locker seems to show ( and I only say seems as I have no military experience with which to contrast ) in meaningful detail the brutality and random nature of death and the impact it has on those at the forefront, both those in uniform and those not.
The focus on the working and personal relationship between Sgt James, Sgt Sanborn and Specialist Eldridge is very well drawn and makes personal the different ways individuals cope with the never ending stress and trauma of the situation they find themselves in and how this impacts upon the people they live and work with.
Brian Geraghty is impressive as the naive and callow Eldridge, expressing his fears openly that he will not make it home alive and the lack of control he has over his fate. I also found Anthony Mackie impressive as the thoughtful Sgt Sanborn.
Watching this film I did find myself seeking subtext more closely than I would for other films because of the subject matter, but I am hard pressed to point to any scene or dialogue that appeared preachy, flag waving or at Political with a capital P.
Of course the personal is political and I found this to be an impressive film for convincingly portraying the impact that decisions made thousands of miles away have on real lives.
Recommended