2008 Woodie Awards
Jarhead, more than a war movie
Lisa Frieri
Issue date: 11/25/05 Section: Tempo
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Some things can only be experienced on your own to truly understand them: falling in love, breaking up, and going to war, among other experiences. Although "Jarhead" is only a movie, it makes you feel like you are there with the Marines, experiencing war and going to boot camp.
"Jarhead" (a moniker Marines give themselves) depicts the life of Marine Anthony Swofford, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, and is based on his book of the same name. The movie is about his time as a 20-year-old lance corporal during the 1991 Gulf War. The movie is not about the war as much as it is about Swofford and his personal experiences in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The audience is taken through a tour of his life, from boot camp until shortly after the war. Being a third-generation enlistee, the Marines was a way of life in Swofford's family and seemed like the natural thing to do after high school, even against his father's wishes. As Swofford was going through the process of boot camp, the Gulf War was starting up, and shortly after, his company was one of the first to be sent to Saudi Arabia.
Although Swofford is in Saudi Arabia and has skills most 20-year-old men do not, he is still a scared, immature kid with a lot of growing up to do.
His fellow Marine and mentor, Troy, played by Illinois-born Peter Sarsgaard helps Swofford through the rough times and vice versa. Out in the boredom, loneliness, and scariness of war, they only have each other, and their fellow Marines to rely on.
His staff sergeant of the Marine scout/snipers, played by Jamie Foxx (Ray, Collateral), also helps him through the tough times. He is the ultimate Marine, sacrificing time with his family and foregoing a better job to serve his country.
The Marines are a unique branch of the services and notably the smallest. Their motto is Semper Fi, meaning "always faithful." Like any group, they have their own culture and "Jarhead" lets the audience into their world.
During boot camp, he forms a bond with the men of his squadron. For better or worse, this is part of his life now and even later in life, he cannot escape his time in the Marines or the camaraderie he shared with his company. In 112-degree heat, the highlights of his day include getting to play football, getting a letter from his girlfriend, and hydrating.
"Jarhead" is directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, who directed "American Beauty" and "The Road to Perdition," and produced by Oscar Winner Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher.
"Jarhead" goes into the dimensions of the Marines' life in the Gulf War, seen through the eyes of a Marine himself. It is a smart, sometimes funny and brutally honest account of what it is like to be one of the few and the proud.
"Jarhead" (a moniker Marines give themselves) depicts the life of Marine Anthony Swofford, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, and is based on his book of the same name. The movie is about his time as a 20-year-old lance corporal during the 1991 Gulf War. The movie is not about the war as much as it is about Swofford and his personal experiences in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The audience is taken through a tour of his life, from boot camp until shortly after the war. Being a third-generation enlistee, the Marines was a way of life in Swofford's family and seemed like the natural thing to do after high school, even against his father's wishes. As Swofford was going through the process of boot camp, the Gulf War was starting up, and shortly after, his company was one of the first to be sent to Saudi Arabia.
Although Swofford is in Saudi Arabia and has skills most 20-year-old men do not, he is still a scared, immature kid with a lot of growing up to do.
His fellow Marine and mentor, Troy, played by Illinois-born Peter Sarsgaard helps Swofford through the rough times and vice versa. Out in the boredom, loneliness, and scariness of war, they only have each other, and their fellow Marines to rely on.
His staff sergeant of the Marine scout/snipers, played by Jamie Foxx (Ray, Collateral), also helps him through the tough times. He is the ultimate Marine, sacrificing time with his family and foregoing a better job to serve his country.
The Marines are a unique branch of the services and notably the smallest. Their motto is Semper Fi, meaning "always faithful." Like any group, they have their own culture and "Jarhead" lets the audience into their world.
During boot camp, he forms a bond with the men of his squadron. For better or worse, this is part of his life now and even later in life, he cannot escape his time in the Marines or the camaraderie he shared with his company. In 112-degree heat, the highlights of his day include getting to play football, getting a letter from his girlfriend, and hydrating.
"Jarhead" is directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, who directed "American Beauty" and "The Road to Perdition," and produced by Oscar Winner Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher.
"Jarhead" goes into the dimensions of the Marines' life in the Gulf War, seen through the eyes of a Marine himself. It is a smart, sometimes funny and brutally honest account of what it is like to be one of the few and the proud.
