Posted on 11/01/2005 11:10:17 AM PST by laney
Part coming-of-age story, part military-training horror show, part bawdy male-bonding romp, and part poetic meditation on the murderous impulses of men at war, director Sam Mendes' Jarhead (opening Nov. 4) doesn't offer much in the way of conventional, audience-pleasing payoffs.
It's about being worn down by fear in a combat zone where the war could start at any minute, but doesn't in fact commence for months after deployment. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a grunt who's molded into an expert sniper, then left with no chance to strut his stuff because the Gulf War is over in a flash. Peter Sarsgaard is his loyal, hard-nosed sniper-scout partner, but it's not a warm-fuzzy, buddy-buddy kind of relationship no cute clips to push on that score while Jamie Foxx (pictured with Gyllenhaal), the Oscar-winning star of Ray, takes a peppery supporting turn as a tough-love sergeant.
As journalists take in the film for the first time, Mendes is suddenly realizing that misperception could be an issue. ''I can feel people talking about the movie they expected to see,'' he says. ''They expected a much more specific political commentary about what's going on in Iraq right now. I think they were shocked that it was so comedic, and that it was so specifically about Desert Storm.'' The director, in turn, has been taken aback to see prerelease articles writing off Jarhead's impact sight unseen. ''I've read pieces about why this movie's already in danger of becoming irrelevant,'' he reports, looking incredulous. ''That the problem is, real-life events are going to overtake it. Huh? It's about Operation Desert Storm! How can events overtake it?''
Right on, that's it in a nutshell.
Artists like the Dixie Chicks, for example, who mindlessly spout off against America while singing about mostly drivel don't get any respect from me. It's like they are saying, "Oh, by the way, we hate Bush, too. And now here's something from our new CD."
Got it.
Me, too (on both points). My next post won't be a stray from topic, but real quick--I recommend that you also read Fight Club if you haven't already.
"...Or are all movies supposed to fall in line with your thinking of what should be in the theaters?..."
and the problem with that is...?
How do you see without any eyes?
I read Generation Kill and loved it...
Say what??????????????????????
I agree with that. If someone writes a liberal song because that is what is on their mind so be it. But things like the Rolling Stones writing "Sweet Neocon" come across as just trying to remain relevant. In the end, honesty is going to be way more successful.
There's a clip where Jamie Foxx (I think that's his name) says "I thank God for everyday in the Corps.". I can see where that is going.....there has to some subtle anti-religious sentiment.
0) vs. :0)
No eyes. ;-)
That you don't see one a lot. But that's standard for non-conservative Republicans
I didn't even know it was a book. I'm actually glad of that, nothing ruins a good movie like reading the book first.
No such thing as a "former" Marine.
Still reading it. I think you should re read it. It's a total hit job on Bush Sr. and Cheyney ... Everything is their fault, etc..
Definitely. Lots of ick. And material for the greatest movie of the year? Ugh.
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