4 Days in the Desert: JARHEAD

Let's start by saying just because a movie is about war does not make it intrinsically political. ANd just because this war we are in looks strangely like our last one, does not make this movie 'calculated.' JARHEAD is based off the personal and funny memoirs of Anthony Swofford, and follows swoff's through boot camp to the minefields of Iraq and back home again. It is harrowing to say the least and I walked out saying to our wife that our hypothetical son is never joining the marines. I tend to have that feeling after most war movies, I have so much respect for what these soldiers go through, especially those who don't have a whole lot of other options for advancement. And I understand the faceless mentallity that combat requires from its participants, unquestionably following orders, etc. But it is not a life I would want for myself or anybody I loved. And as you watch Jake Gylenhaal is a sure to be oscar-nominated performance, you will love him too. He's a kid, like all these guys, given a gun and taught to hate (as the old Jethro Tull song gos), he didn't ask for all this mess. And the group think is so frightening, for example, the harrowing scene where they watch Apocalypse Now to rev themselves up for combat???

The entire ensemble is brilliant. Peter Saarsgard, morally questionable as usual, plays Swoff's sniper siter, a man born to be a marine. And Jamie Foxx is the squad sergeant, one of those who drank the kool-aid, he's a lifer and everyone had better be as miserable as he is, but he'll never let you know he's miserable. And then there is CHris Cooper the man at the head of the whole battalion I guess, who is only in the movie a couple of times but always makes the scenes swirl around himself while fires up his troops. But those are just the names. THe real stars are all the soldiers, adding to story with their little idiosyncrocies and personal story lines (like the marine whose wife is pregnant) or the one whose wife dumps him via videotape...ouch!

Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) turns in another masterful job as director, with great help from cinematographer Roger Deakins (The VIllage, SHawshank) - the film is tight and intense, and looks amazing. THe adaptation is flawless, capturing a forgetten war that basically lasted four days through the eyes of one man who could only think about whether or not he was going to get to shoot his gun. WIlliam Broyles, writer/creator of CHina Beach, lets just enough of swoff's voice come through in the voice over but leaves us plenty of time to be amazed buy the images, especially the long trek across the desert.

JARHEAD is a powerful important film that should be well-represented at the Oscars. What's really irratating is the number of critics who want it to be either an indictment of war, or a supportive missive for the current administration's 'nation' building. It's not either and it never intends to be. They are frightened by the movie's lack of meaning, its ambivalence and ambiguity. I wonder if they even watched the movie? It's one man's experience, and based on his experience, draw your own fucking conclusions. WHy do you need everything so nicely packaged?

JARHEAD is recommended for war movie fans, anyone with someone serving overseas currently, anyone who loves their country, anyone who hates their country, anyone who just wants to seee a good movie, and anyone who wants to watch Jake Gylenhaal run around in his undies and a Santa cap. Rick's Rating: A.