The true story behind "Jarhead" -- Greenville mom takes issue with book, movie

MLive.com ^ | November 03, 2005 | Ted Roelofs

[sargunner]

"We plan on going to one of the multi-screen theaters and paying to see something else and then stepping in to see "Jarhead" afterwards just to see how accurate the movie is."

Kelly, You sly (devil)dog. I suspect using this tactic is the only way you'll get your money's worth.

Take care

[Publius6961]

BUMP!

[pepperhead]

Durting WWII, when Hollywood put movies out, there was no question they would be pro-American, pro-military, patriotic, anti-enemy movies.

The tv spots I have seen gives the impression that this movie is just that. A pro-American, pro-military, patriotic, anti-enemy movie. Looks like they are pulling a Million Dollar Baby here to me.

[Chode]

yup, a li'l sneak and peak will be enough... after that, it'll be a function of how much BS you can to sit through to see all their lies. good luck.

[Question_Assumptions]

As opposed to other actors, huh?

Watch a Bruce Willis movie like "Tears of the Sun".

[kellynla]

Here is a review from a student who saw a pre-screening of the film, "Jarhead."

Juansmith from Washington State, USA


"I saw a promotional screening of the film, sponsored by my university. Following the screening was an audience Q&A with the author (and main character), Tony Swofford.

And it was no surprise that the very first question from the audience was, quite ambiguously, "Do you support the military?" When Swofford dismissed the question as too broad and complex to be answered with a simple yes or no, the inquirer followed up with, "Well, do you support the war?" Swofford dismissed this even more readily.

To me, this was perfectly representative of how the film handled its potential political implications.

As Troy says early on in the film, "To hell with politics. We're here now." And that's essentially how the movie went.

It bypasses the soapbox and simply tells you how it was, from the perspective of a single soldier. And while the opening boot camp scenes may seem like Full Metal Jacket Lite, the rest of the film is truly unique.

Sam Mendes directs with his usual brilliance, showing once again his affinity for bright, vivid color, even in the largely monochromatic desert.

Jake Gyllenhaal gives an excellent performance as Anthony Swofford, complemented by the able talents of Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard.

The film's only real flaw is that, like the war on which it was based, it's pretty slow, and not a lot really happens.

In the strictest sense, I would have a hard time even classifying this as a war film, and it's certainly not a deliberately political film.

But in its own way, it tells an intense, personal story. Beyond that, you're simply left to make your own judgments."


From what this student says the author sounds like a disenchanted Marine. He wouldn't say that he was for or against the war and he wouldn't say whether he was for or against the military which in my mind says the author is against the war and not reeeeeel happy with the Corps.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[L98Fiero]

"Watch a Bruce Willis movie like "Tears of the Sun"."

I did. It rocked. We all know guys like Bruce are as rare as hen's teeth in Hollywood.

[LongElegantLegs]

Gah, I CAN'T BELIEVE I CALLED JAMIE FOXX 'JAMIE KENNEDY'!! Sorry, all, and thanks for the corrections. :-P
I still find his Oor-ah oddly feminine.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Love the screen name!

[rdb3]

Gah, I CAN'T BELIEVE I CALLED JAMIE FOXX 'JAMIE KENNEDY'!!

That happens, so no biggie. I have to see that whole scene before I can say it sounded "feminine". The clip on the commercial seems to me that he was just talking to another Marine, so he didn't yell it.

I'm loudly screamed, "HOOAH!" in the Army while doing PT or in some other training. Me telling another soldier "hooah" meant that I agreed with what he was saying.

Anyway, I still wish to see this movie. Ray Charles, err, I mean Jamie Foxx is a great actor, so I want to see how he plays.

If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.

[chesty_puller]

it has quite a bit of officer bashing in there as well

That changes everything....I'm gonna watch it now.

[LongElegantLegs]

Ray Charles, err, I mean Jamie Foxx is a great actor...

Ha ha! Now, that was a role he was born to play. I could be inferring too much from the inflection of a two-second quote.

[LongElegantLegs]

Why, thank you! I love your profile page.

[My2Cents]

Didn't even notice the misnomer.

[emerson boozer]

No problem, I thought it was just a funny mistake.

[airborne]

DARN IT! I was hoping to see a good war movie!

Just darn!!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Yours is pretty good too..but you are missing something, I think we should work on that (If you want to..). Look in your freepmail!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I think you are right. That makes me feel badly- however I don't think I will see the film myself.

[kas2591]

It's been a while since I read the book; but I'm pretty sure he didn't fire a round. His battalion took some blue on blue casualites; that was about it.

[Sam Gamgee]

I want to know when was the last time Hollywood produced a patriotic war movie?

BTW - anyone see DownFall - the German movie about the last days of Hitler. I came away feeling sick to my stomach. Realizing what a bunch of pant pissing cowards Hitler's henchmen really were.