I debated going to see "Jarhead" for my movie review, but since Michael was going to see "Chicken Little," and you literally couldn't
pay me to go see "Doom," I wasn't left with much of a choice. Of course, having seen the theatrical trailer for "Jarhead" with Kanye
Wests' "Jesus Walks" blaring in the background (ok, so Kanye's political opinions don't exactly coincide with mine, but I'm not
listening to his speeches I'm listening to his music, which is pretty darn good), I had already decided to go see the film at some point in time. So this week was as good as any, right?
My big hesitation in reviewing this particular film was not knowing how political it would be. I hadn't read the book the movie is based on, and I hadn't heard any pre-release buzz. I lucked out though. The film, which is based on Marines serving in the Gulf War, really isn't about war. It's about the Marines and their relationships with each other, with their friends and family left behind, and the internal struggles they must deal with sitting in the desert and once home from the war.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Anthony Swofford, a third generation Marine Corps enlistee who is selected for the elite sniper training program. When Swoff's unit is deployed to the middle east, they spend their time waiting for a battle that never comes. In the six months Swoff's unit spends at war, there is only one occasion where they are even close enough to the enemy to be in real danger. Their time is instead spent training, hydrating, and waiting. Jamie Foxx plays Swoff's passionate leader, a career military man who loves his job. Foxx proves with this role that his oscar-winning acting skills truly are versatile.
Peter Sarsgaard plays Swoff's sniper partner, Troy, who discovers while at war that he is not being accepted for re-enlistment. All Troy knows how to do is be a part of the Marines. When Swoff hears Troy's news he says, all you want to do is be in the Marines, and all I want to do is get out. Sarsgaard, as always, acts with the smooth coherency that makes him one of the best supporting actors who will probably never play the lead.
This film is not for those who are easily offended by crude language. It is filled with the banter, mostly sexual, one might expect to hear in a locker room or, more accurately, a military camp in the middle of the desert. If you are offended by this kind of language then I recommend you wait until it's out on TV, but do see it.
For me, the film really brought to life all the struggles our troops face outside of the realm of the actual physical danger when fighting in a war. Although it's probably not a film I will own, I think it was important for me to see.
The cast is phenomenal and I would say this is Jake Gyllenhaal's best performance yet. The next time you're out for a night at the movies, check out this film that is one man's story of life as a Marine.

*** 1/2 stars