"Jarhead"
Reviewed by Chris Cappola
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper and Jamie Foxx. Directed by Sam Mendes. (2005, Universal)

'Jarhead' is a curious movie because it surprises the audience by not really going down the whole "war" route. Yes, it's a war movie but a lot of it is more unpredictable than previous films from the genre have shown us. This isn't a film about the war, it's told from the perspective of the soldier's in particular one young man (Jake Gyllenhaal). The film chronicles his experiences in becoming a marine and fighting the Gulf War of the early 90's. One expecting this to be an action-packed war saga will be disappointed because this is more like a marine educational video.

At first, it seems like a marine frat party because the first hour really is about our sniper marine Swoff (Gyllenhaal) and his group including Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) who don't do much but walk around the desert and partying up. It's all about the marine life and although it captures it well, again it just doesn't seem to be anything more than what probably goes on at dorm rooms across America - a frat party. They eat, they drink, they sleep, they train, they fight, they watch movies … a typical day in the life of a young man but instead of the comfort of their idealist worlds, they are doing it in the middle of the desert. The snipers are led by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) who gives Swoff some opportunities. After the first hour or so of capturing marine life, the real war begins and the marines are called into action but again, a couple of moments here and there but again nothing really happens. Again, this isn't a war film with the theme a catalyst for the story. It makes for an interesting idea to explore but there is always that empty feeling from the story that never is overcome.

The film was directed by Sam Mendes who's 'American Beauty' is one of the more observant films in the last decade and is a masterpiece of cinema. He can direct astonishingly well and holds together a production better than any director. The production on 'Jarhead' is excellent and there is some masterful cinematography, ideal editing and a great music score. Instead of trying to make a two-hour film into a three-hour ordeal like most directors would succumb to, he tightens the film and never drags out scenes longer than necessary. It's a difficult film because there isn't much really going on. There are some action sequences but nothing too exciting and there's none of those heroic moments, gut-wrenching death scenes or defining moments. It has a lot of opportunities but never utilises them. Many scenes could have been done differently but many are like teasers but never eventuate anywhere. The problem is easy here: the story doesn't ever go where it probably wanted to go and seems more of a recruitment video towards marine life than anything else and it tries to be overly persuasive to the issue of war. War always has an effect and a consequence and although it brushes on this idea, it doesn't really go anywhere with it and none of the characters seem like they have fully grasped the concept of what they are doing. There is no motivation to any of these characters and all of them seem like they are just out there to have some fun and shoot some bad guys. Maybe that was the point Mendes was trying to evoke but war is a little more serious than what he is portraying here.

Jake Gyllenhaal is very good in the lead role and has some powerful scenes. With 'Brokeback Mountain' and now this, he has chosen two of the hardest roles for any actor in 2005 and came out winningly in both and he is a very strong actor. Jamie Foxx is an actor that can be extremely irritating and superficial but gives a controlled and actually likable character. Peter Sarsgaard is always a good actor and is good but at times, he seems to be cruising his performance through but isn't helped by a vague character. The rest of the cast are all decent enough but the problem with all of these performances is that the script is never indicative of their personalities or motivations so it's hard to really understand them and in a film which is trying to tell it from their perspective, this feeling is detrimental to the film.

'Jarhead' is a lot like the recent 'Lord of War' by trying to be profound but missing out on the mark despite a lot of promise. Sam Mendes has an accomplished production and doesn't do much wrong in terms of the technical aspect of the film but allows a story and a focus that doesn't really add up to much. There is no satisfying conclusion to the story and at times, it's a little one-sided to the issue of war without justifying that preference. There is nothing fun about war and 'Jarhead' seems convinced to show us that marine life is more about mucking around with your friends and having a good time than what is all about.
out of 10
- Chris Cappola's Reviews

Moviemarshal.com home