Jarhead far from empty

November 14, 2005 —

Jarhead is an unconventional, risky movie, but is a fine example that when a risk pays off, it pays off big. This could be the least violent war movie ever, yet at the same time, is one of the most draining. Jarhead is the result of a perfect cohesion between members of the cast and crew, resulting in an immersive, memorable, and emotional experience.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Swoff, a U.S. Marine during the time leading up to and encompassing Desert Storm. The movie itself is based on a book written by Anthony Swofford, a former Marine, based on his own experiences, who Gyllenhaal obviously plays. What we are given, rather than a movie portraying mostly combat experience, is a film showing the stark existential quality of modern warfare.

Swoff is appointed to be a sniper early on, and is surrounded by lifelike characters, such as D.I. Fitch, played by Scott MacDonald, who is his spotter. Other memorable characters include Lucas Black, a talented young actor whom viewers will recognize from Friday Night Lights, and particularly observant viewers will remember him as the boy in Sling Blade. Jamie Foxx is effective once again, playing Staff Sgt. Sykes, a near omnipresence throughout the film.

All of these characters, as well as the effective cinematography and editing, provide a very believable backdrop for the experiences of Swoff, whom the entire movie centers around. And what a character to center upon he is. If there is any fairness in the world, Gyllenhaal will receive an Oscar nomination for this performance. He has always shown talent in his films, but truly shines here. He plays a very demanding role, which covers the full array of human emotions, and is onscreen throughout nearly the entire runtime. At no time does he falter. We certainly have a lot more to see from him.

Jarhead is a slow movie, yet deliberately slow, not for lack of plot. There is very little action, and it wears on us as it wears on the soldiers. Many war movies that are shot in a realistic manner cause me to reflect on what a terrible experience it must be. Generally, this is achieved through gore and brutality, lives snuffed out in an instant.

Jarhead caused me to think of this yet again, but in a completely different manner. There is absolutely nothing to do. There is no fighting even to occupy the time. Sitting in a tent for days with nothing for company but a gun and a few fellow soldiers must be maddening. Eventually this comes to fruition in the degradation of Swoff's sanity, which is handled admirably.

Much will possibly be made of what message this movie sends. We see a group of soldiers who have varying feelings about the war. All of them are eventually hungry for action, if only out of boredom.

However, this did not give the impression that this was a group of bloodthirsty and savage soldiers, nor did they come across as mindless. Everyone had believable motivation for their behavior, and no one came across as unrealistically good or evil. But the movie itself does not send any independent message about the war. It merely gives an accurate rendition of one soldier's experience, and leaves us to think. And the viewer will think after seeing Jarhead, for better or worse.