DVD Review: Jarhead Collector’s Edition

Directed by Sam Mendes
Screenplay by William Broyles Jr.
Based on the book by Anthony Swafford

Jarhead tells the tale of Anthony Swafford’s experiences in the Marines as a sniper and his tour of duty during Operation Desert Storm, from staging in Saudi Arabia to fighting in Kuwait. When he finally heads into action, it’s nothing like he expects, but then it never is for any soldier.

Unfortunately, the film stumbles out of the gate as it opens with Swafford meeting his drill instructor. The scene was clichéd and I had trouble getting attached to the film and the characters because I kept thinking of Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.

However, once Swafford gets stationed, the film begins to separate itself from other war films and make a distinct impression by illustrating that the most dangerous and difficult time for soldiers can be when they are waiting around and doing nothing. They are trained and whipped into shape, ready to serve their country by putting their lives on the line. They have to be stronger, smarter and luckier than their enemy. They have to maintain a heightened state of readiness, always on alert because the enemy may strike at any time. That tension has the ability to wear people down when it isn’t channeled properly.

The boredom grows monotonous, but Swafford has helpful tips: “Suggestive techniques for the marine to use in the avoidance of boredom and loneliness. Masturbation. Re-reading of letters from unfaithful wives and girlfriends. Cleaning your rifle. Further masturbation. Re-wiring Walkman. Arguing about religion and meaning of life. Discussing in detail, every women the marine has ever fucked. Debating differences, such as Cuban vs. Mexican, Harleys vs. Hondas, left- vs. right-handed masturbation. Further cleaning of rifle. Studying the mail-order bride catalogue. Further masturbation. Planning a marine's first meal on return home. Imagining what a marine's girlfriend and her man Joey are doing in the alley or in a hotel bed.”

The men, for the most part, seem immune to the politics of the war because it no longer matters as the trucks roll through Saudi Arabia. When Kruger, a soldier from Texas, in a nice reversal of a caricature, brings up the arguments that the oilmen back home are in league with the Arabs and the fact that the U.S. used to back Saddam Hussein, his corporal, Troy, played by Peter Sarsgaard, distills the matter succinctly. “Fuck politics. We're here. All the rest is bullshit.” They all just want to get the job finished and get out alive. All the jockeying back home helps no one when you are in The Suck.

Article Author: El Bicho

El Bicho writes for a number of movie web sites, including Cinema Sentries, which he runs for the geniuses of Forwerd Media. He also occasionally cleans up around here. Follow at twitter.com/ElBicho_CS

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