A Worthy Depiction of Being on the Front Lines in Iraq

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2009)

There have been more then several films concerning the Iraq War and most of them are forgettable. But Kathryn Bigelow has given us a worthwhile film about an elite bomb squad in Baghdad in 2004. After their team leader is killed trying to defuse a roadside bomb, the men of Bravo Company must learn to deal with their new charming, but reckless team leader Sergeant James, who instantly becomes an irritation to Sergeant JT Sanborn and Specialist Eldridge as he shows his new team a different kind of urban combat.
Miss Bigelow takes us into the lives of these men who risk their lives every day in a hostile environment where you don't know who you can trust and all you have is each other, regardless of your differences. This is not your typical all testosterone driven war film that glorifies war, nor is it a heavy anti war message film. Although, there is a scene where there clearly is alpha male competition going on which looked truthful and had the right amount of comedy that wasn't over the top. The film simply is an effective depiction of life on the front lines, forming a tenuous camaraderie, trying to connect with your humanity and what happens when your rotation is over to some of these brave soldiers.
There is very good acting in the film and some interesting choices for cameos. Guy Pearce has a small but important scene as the first team leader, Sergeant Thompson and his scene makes a point of showing the difference in his leadership style and bomb disposal method as opposed to James. David Morse has a brief but charismatic stint as a Colonel Reed, who's confrontation with James leaves you guessing. Ralph Fiennes even shows up as a no nonsense military contractor in the field. But the 3 main actors, Anthony Mackie as Sanborn, Jeremy Renner as James and Brian Geraghty as Eldridge form a distinct trio. Renner is an atypical squad leader with a subtle intensity. His bit of business about the souvenirs he picks up along the way gives his character clarity. Mackie plays Sanborn as a tough, by the book sergeant who has a lot going on under the surface and his frustration and even his envy is quite clear. His underlying question of does he have what it takes is a driving force in his characterization and his heartfelt speech about the state of things is well done. Geraghty as Eldridge is not as strong as his compadres but his characterization as the emotionally fragile, unsure of himself specialist is decent enough and it works with the story.
With the Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow's realistic depiction of the lives of Iraqi soldiers is poignant and harrowing. She keeps the action flowing, even during the "down" time periods. I wish she would've shown a little more of the guys after their deployment ends, except for just a brief albeit telling scene with James. But, that didn't take away from the effectiveness of her spot on direction. I predict she will be recognized come Awards season.