Jarhead (2005)

Entertainment Weekly ^ | Nov 1st, 2005

[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?''

[Chieftain]

Actually, I had meant to direct my FRiend, Recovering Ex-Hippie, to read reply number 55.

As for the movie, I watched it last night with my wife and twin sons who are leaving for Marine Corps boot camp in a few months. From what I had read from some reviews, I was expecting a stinker, but I was pleasantly surprised. Sure there were embellishments and some "Hollywood" touches, but as a Marine who served for 22 years and was a participant in Desert Shield/Storm, it was typical of what I would expect from a 'Jarhead' who had penned his own experience.

Some folks have expressed shock at the profanity, but I can assure any FReeper that profanity is alive and well in the Fleet Marine Force, regardless of what official policy is.

The characters in this movie are junior enlisted grunts and they probably fit Eleanor Roosevelt's description rather well, regarding their language.

[fulltlt]

My wife and I went to see it yesterday. Reminds me of a bunch of horny dogs trying to hump anything they can find.

Why when I go to a movie do I need to see the main characters parents copulating on screen to show us the moment the main character was conceived? What does it
contribute to the plot to see the main character hump
his girlfriend. Why do I need to see the main character
drool over a home made porn flick of a buddies wife getting
screwed by some other guy while he's away at war?

This film sucked in my opinion.

I have a son in the Marines right now. He's nothing like
Swofford.

[Chieftain]

I have a son in the Marines right now. He's nothing like Swofford.

First off, Semper Fi to your son -OORAAHH!!

Secondly, this was Swafford's experience, nothing more. There are many things to be critical of in the movie, but it did show the brotherhood of Marines pretty accurately, regardless of thier behavior.

[Chieftain]

This idiot from the New York Post tries to rate this movie about Marines, based on what he experienced in the Army. When will the wannabe's realize they aren't Marines, and that the Army is much different. This NY Post critic should find something else to complain about, because he is not an expert about Marines.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

My respect and gratitude to your son for serving, fulltilt!

As I said in an earlier post, it is a FICTIONAL story...
I thought the movie was balanced. The scene with swofford's parents was a humorous attempt to deal with a child, even an adult, not being able to imagine their parents having sex. As for the other sexual scenes, given the usual Hollyweird fare, this movie was pretty tame.

[ocos]

I just saw the movie tonight and as a Marine in active duty from 90 to 94 I will say that this is a clusterf@#k of a movie. Did you see the insinuation that the Marine's wife that had the kids had been with the other Marine in the group? Yes this movie goes out of its way to portray Marines as bloodthirsty, murders, fools and losers.

[ocos]

Let's not forget the masterbastion scene.

[OKIEDOC]

I hate to open an old wound for some but feel it is necessary that we not forget that book Jarhead.

Jarhead is still being hawked by some in the Academic world as a true picture of what the Marines and military service is all about.

My wife is attending an advanced class on public speaking.

Her professor has announced with fanfare great admiration for Hillary Clinton and the politics of liberalism.

This professor assigned her the project of reading and developing a report and speech on the book Jarhead.

I have never seen the movie but from what I have read in the first few chapters of the book, makes me want to just puke.

The first few pages of this book makes it well known that the author is a low life character willing to do what ever it takes to push his arrogant agenda against the military.

My wife says the book is a hard read.

She went to the professor and complained and was told in no uncertain terms that the book represented what the Marine Corps and United States military service was all about.

She was also told that if she wants a good grade (a must for graduate school) she must finish the project and give a positive report and speech about the book.

OK so this turned into a rant but we must not forget that just because a person served in the military does not necessarily make them a good guy.