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Jarhead is an interesting movie; and, I think, a pretty accurate portrayal of Marine life during the Persian Gulf War. It's a Gulf War memoir with shades of the Vietnam era movie, Full Metal Jacket. Many reflective moments are in the movie which made me think: I can hardly believe that we are in Iraq: a region that is hostile to us in terrain and emotions; Jarhead brings this point home over and over again. Some terrific character studies are in the film which reminded me almost instantaneously of the young troops involved in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.
The difference in Jarhead and Abu Ghraib is that there was leadership provided by Staff Sgt. Sykes(Jamie Fox) in Jarhead. Staff Sgt. Sykes leads his men in STA (Surveillance and Target Acquisition), the sniper unit. He is the combination of a stern and wise father and an all-knowing mother who understands her kids enough to allow some freedom and spontaneity.
At Abu Ghraib, no leadership was provided and soldiers did some awful and embarrassing things. Jarhead was controlled chaos. Jarhead is mostly about the tedium of the anticipated fight, waiting for the one chance to kill or be killed.
Swof (Jake Gyllenhaal), is the main character of the movie who "finds himself " as a marine when he joins STA(the sniper unit). Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Swof with a laid back pensive passion that is simply fine acting.
This film suggests, which I think is true, that we have the "salt of the earth" sort of kids in the military today. These youngsters are not made up of a cross section of the population; and, surely many are not potential Harvard graduates, not because they are not smart enough but because they lack opportunity. However, after these same kids join and complete the Marine experience, they have done something significant in life and can be proud enough to say so. No small thing.
I think that every kid in America, 18-26, should see Jarhead. Needless to say, most won't. If certain aspects of movies bother you like hearing the "f" or "mf" words or scenes depicting the crudity that ensues when a bunch of men work and live together in a military setting, then this movie is not for you( probably not for the regular moviegoer either).
If the movie has any flaws, it had to be lack of character development in one or two instances making you ask, who is this person? But, filmmakers can do only so much in two hours.
The saddest part of the movie was the return home. As the bus pulls into Camp Pentleton, California, a Vietnam veteran gets on and shakes hands with all the young troops who have in their eyes that feeling, "What have I done?" to deserve such gratitude. The Vietnam veteran has his old fatigue shirt on with his Vietnam patches. His eyes reflect the war that he continues to fight; and, as he looks at the young Marines, it is as if he does not see but has the "thousand yard stare." We wonder how many of these young "jarheads" will wind up with that same "thousand yard stare."
Jarhead is definitely worth your time to see at regular price. JHL
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