I would like to think that not everything in life has to be politically motivated. While we complain about the stupidity of government, the price of gasoline, and whatever vast conspiracy may be in vogue at the moment, there are Americans right now in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world who, whatever they might feel personally, have a job to do.
Jarhead, which opened in theaters this past Friday, takes a good hard look at Operation Desert Storm through the eyes of the people – rather than the politics – that were involved.
Jarhead, directed by American Beauty director Sam Mendes, is based on former Marine Anthony Swofford’s 2003 book about his own experiences.
The film follows a 20-year-old character of the same name played exquisitely by Jake Gyllenhaal, whom you remember from The Day After Tomorrow and who did a phenomenal job of redeeming himself from that particular embarrassment. Jarhead chronicles Swofford from boot camp to Desert Shield, through Desert Storm, as well as giving us a glimpse of the psychological aftermath.
The film is naturally reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam portrait Full Metal Jacket, although it by no means attempts to simply reproduce the earlier film for a later war. Jarhead carries its own weight with grace and poignancy, relying on a strong emphasis on characters and relationships to carry the story.
Cinematically Jarhead is stunning. The movie offers plenty of impressive visual displays of the desolate beauty of the desert as well as a variety of big explosions.
The soundtrack is unique and well executed, including a range of acidic techno to classic Americana.
The editing style is equally original, blending a menagerie of straight shots, extreme close-ups, and odd angles with both steady and unsteady camera mounts.
Jarhead is as varied visually as it is emotionally. The characters are all both adorable and despicable, including Swofford. There are no saints, no martyrs, no demons. The characters are all complex and realistic, and they have their moments of glory as well as abysmal, even psychotic, depression and desperation.
With such a major focus on character, Jarhead is truly effective thanks to several incredible acting performances. As I mentioned earlier, Jake Gyllemhaal steps up to fill the main role with a performance that profoundly showcases his maturation as an actor.
Gyllenhaal is flanked by Jamie Foxx (Ray), who gives a wonderful presentation of Swofford’s harsh and passionate immediate superior, Staff Sergeant Sykes.
Across from Gyllenhaal is Peter Sarsgaard (Garden State) playing Swofford’s sniper team partner. Sarsgaard, who has landed few roles as central as this, demonstrates some eloquent dynamics in his portrayal of a fellow Marine.
The purpose of Jarhead as I interpreted it was coined within the first 20 minutes of the film. One of the Marines, upon arriving in Kuwait, reflects on the politics of the situation and remarks, roughly paraphrased, that whatever people may choose to say or believe about the situation was irrelevant. They were now in the situation, and the now is all that matters.
Jarhead is funny, mournful, violent, disturbing and – yes – inflammatory at times. But Jarhead, whatever else it may be, is above all a very human story about a potentially dehumanizing experience.
It is a story worth hearing.
Jarhead, which rated a deserved R for pervasive language, graphic nudity, and disturbing images, is currently showing at Carmike 14 Cinemas in Johnson City and Marquee Cinemas in Kingsport.
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