War is a drug

Rating: 10/10 (15 August 2009)

The conflict in Iraq has presented a new dynamic for the United States in they way it fights a war that is being waged on the streets of its most important cities. This is a new type of combat because the troops are on a constant death watch, a peril presented by the explosive devices planted on the streets and on the roads where the soldiers must cover looking for hostile enemies.
As the story opens, we are taken to watch how Sgt. Matt Thompson goes to diffuse a device planted on the pavement. The special trained soldier doing this type of job, must wear a protective costume in order for him to get so near the bomb to cut the wiring. Unfortunately for Thompson it is the end of the war and of his life.
His replacement, Staff Sgt. William James, is a fearless man. From the start he exudes confidence, as he approaches each task that requires his talent for disconnecting an explosive device intended to end the lives of American soldiers. His team is composed by Sgt. Sanborn and by Specialist Owen Eldridge, who cover up while James goes to do his job. It is easy to understand the pressure the three men face on a daily basis and the dangers they are under. It takes nerves of steel to accomplish each mission entrusted to them as anyone of the curious onlookers could be detonating the bombs with their cell phones.
"The Hurt Locker" is one of the most accomplished accounts about a war in recent memory. Thanks to its director, Kathryn Bigelow, this picture keeps the viewer at the edge of his seat because of the action never stops. Ms. Bigelow was lucky in bringing to the screen Mark Boal's screenplay. He was responsible for writing the excellent "In the Valley of Elah" that dealt also with the Iraq conflict, but in a different form.
The film owes its appeal to Jeremy Renner, an actor that gets better all the time. His work in "Dahmer" was seen perhaps by a selected few, but one hopes the success of this film will bring him the recognition he rightfully deserves. Anthony Mackey makes a good contribution as Sgt. Sanborn, a man that goes by the book and who must be alert all the time to protect James. As the specialist Eldridge, Brian Geraghty does an outstanding job for Ms. Bigelow. Seen in small roles, Guy Pearce, David Morse and Ralph Fiennes, do excellent work to enhance the film.
The film is triumph for Kathryn Bigelow.