Jake Gyllenhaal, one of the stars of the film "Jarhead," arrives at a screening of the film at the Arclight Theater in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005.
"Jarhead": Welcome to the Suck By Kristi Kastrounis, 11.10.05
If nothing else, “Jarhead” portrays the realities of life for a Marine stationed in Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Operation Desert Storm. At first glance the audience of this war movie might wonder the direction of the plot.
But that is the point. The thousands of troops sent to the Middle East during the Gulf War often wondered when they were going to see some action.
“Jarhead” is based on the best selling 2003 memoir by Gulf War veteran Anthony Swofford, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. “Jarhead” is a slang term used throughout the movie to refer to Marine soldiers, possibly because of the helmets they once wore.
The platoon of scouts and snipers in this film fill the long hours in the desert by training, hydrating, bantering about their love lives, and keeping themselves amused in the desert heat. The film portrays that this vicious cycle of daily life continued for months, while the men fought boredom rather than their enemy.
This film also stars Oscar award-winning Jaime Foxx (“Ray” and “Collateral”) who portrays Sgt. Sykes. Sykes leads Swofford’s sniper platoon through the open deserts looking for an enemy they can’t find. On top of it all, these Marines aren’t even sure what they are fighting for, but they are trained to kill and anxious for the opportunity.
Pete Sarsgaard (“Garden State” and “Flight Plan”) plays Swofford’s sniper partner Troy who only lives to be a Marine. Troy’s character is the opposite from Swafford who only entered the service because he had no other plan.
“I got lost on my way to college,” Swafford said.
Perhaps one of the most telling scenes about Marine life is when the U.S. press asked to interview the soldiers. Prior to the iinterviews the Marines were give spoon-fed responses.
“You are a Marine there is no such things as speech that is free, you have to pay for everything you say,” Sergeant Sykes said.
A reporter shoves the microphone in Swafford’s face and asks if he is scared. Swofford wavered from the standard answers he was supposed to give the media.
“I am 20 years-old and I was dumb enough to sign a contract. I can hear their bombs. Yeah, I am scared.”
After almost a year in the desert, and a four day war, the only thing that Swofford and his Marine buddies have to look forward to is coming home to dead-end jobs and girlfriends and wives that have moved on without them.
The film closes, just as it began, with Swofford narrating that “his hands remember the rife,” whether it is a war worth fighting for or not.
Directed by Sam Mendes, “Jarhead” echoes bizarre dream sequence scenes from Mendes' award-winning films “Road to Perdition” and “American Beauty.” After receiving a Dear John letter, Swafford goes to splash water on his face. As his looks in the mirror he sees the reflection of his girlfriend. Then Swofford begins to vomit a wave of sand
This film couldn’t have premiered at a more opportune time with the current war in Iraq. With hundreds of American soldiers dying abroad, many citizens are starting to question the purpose in fighting “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
This film is not for sensitive ears or the perfect choice for girl’s night out. This movie accurately portrays daily Marine life during the 1991 Gulf War; excessive cuss words, dead bodies, and all.
Yet, if you are looking for an eye-opener to the realities of life as a solider, this film certainly brings the audience right into the daily routine of a Marine. This film is well worth the wait as the first public account of what happened in the Middle East during “Operation Desert Storm.”
