Today’s quick review: Jarhead. Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal), a freshly trained Marine, finds his place in the Corps when Staff Sergeant Sykes (Jamie Foxx) recruits him to become a scout sniper. At the outbreak of the Gulf War, Swofford and his spotter Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) are sent to Saudi Arabia to guard the oil fields from Saddam Hussein’s forces. But as months go by with no action, Swofford begins to question why he’s there.
Jarhead is a war drama based on a true story. Jarhead captures details of military life that are often overlooked in other movies. It follows Swofford through training, hazing, and the boredom and uncertainty of a war still waiting to begin. Jarhead’s greatest strength is its honest, balanced depiction of life in the Marines. The brotherhood, the hardship, the twisted moments, and the discipline are all shown on camera with only modest embellishment.
However, Jarhead’s commitment to realism is also its biggest weakness. Unlike other war movies, Jarhead does not have flashy battles or intense drama to capture the audience’s interest. Swofford’s time in the Middle East is relatively quiet, and the greatest source of conflict is the restlessness of him and the other Marines. Jarhead does have a handful of truly shocking moments, but they are diluted by plenty of what, for Swofford, is ordinary life.
Jarhead is a decent watch for anyone interested in the military lifestyle rather than combat proper. The movie provides a more balanced look at life in the Marines than most, but this balance comes at the cost of the visceral drama found in other war movies. The result is a competent movie with an eye for detail, but one that lacks the punch normally found in war movies. Steer clear if you’re looking for something more sensationalist or action-packed.
For a more shocking depiction of life in the Marines, try Full Metal Jacket. For a more sentimental story about a soldier serving overseas, try Dear John. For a Jamie Foxx thriller set in the Middle East, try The Kingdom. For a deeper look at the effect of war on soldiers, check out Flags of Our Fathers.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a frank portrait of Marine life, the bad as well as the good.