Jarhead (2005)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Sam Mendes

Writers (WGA):

William Broyles Jr. (screenplay)
Anthony Swofford (book)

Release Date:

4 November 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | War

Tagline:

Every man fights his own war.

Plot:

Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's best-selling 2003 book about his pre-Desert Storm experiences in Saudi Arabia and about his experiences fighting in Kuwait.

Plot Keywords:

Marine | Sniper | Boot Camp | Gulf War | 1980s

Awards:

1 win & 9 nominations

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Anthony Swofford
Scott MacDonald	...	D.I. Fitch
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Alan Troy
Jamie Foxx	...	Staff Sgt. Sykes
Lo Ming	...	Bored Gunny (as Ming Lo)
Lucas Black	...	Chris Kruger
Kevin Foster	...	Branded Marine
Brian Geraghty	...	Fergus O'Donnell
Damion Poitier	...	Poitier
Riad Galayini	...	Nurse
Craig Coyne	...	Young Mr. Swofford
Katherine Randolph	...	Young Mrs. Swofford
Rini Bell	...	Swoff's Sister
Dendrie Taylor	...	Mrs. Swofford
James Morrison	...	Mr. Swofford

Also Known As:

Jarhead - Willkommen im Dreck (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language, some violent images and strong sexual content.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English | Spanish | Arabic | Latin

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Ireland:16 | Germany:12 | Australia:MA | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Czech Republic:12 | Brazil:16 | France:U | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:11 | Mexico:C | Hong Kong:III | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Iceland:16 | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Malaysia:18PL (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (edited version) | Netherlands:12 | Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB) | USA:R (certificate #42072) | Norway:15 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Japan:R-15

Filming Locations:

Brawley, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

While listed in the credits as Swoff's sister, Jake Gyllenhaal's character refers to her as Rini, which is in fact the real name of the actress who played the sister.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Crystal Geyser water bottle label seen throughout the movie is the current logo, not the one in 1991. Same goes for the Head and Shoulders Logo on the shampoo in the shower.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Anthony 'Swoff' Swofford: A story: A man fires a rifle for many years, and he goes to war. And afterward he turns the rifle in at the armory, and he believes he's finished with the rifle. But no matter what else he might do with his hands, love a woman, build a house, change his son's diaper; his hands remember the rifle.

Movie Connections:

References Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

Soundtrack:

Jesus Walks

Extremely powerful and moving War pic. A 'Platoon' for Gen X.

I saw this movie at a screening at UC Berkeley. Afterward the author of the novel it is based on held a Q&A.

This movie is a bit long, but so are most War films. It does, however, keep your attention the entire times.

This film is not just a War film, it is able to seamlessly mix comedy and drama, with such issues as Mental health and even a bit of ennui.

The characters are fully developed, each and everyone has an interesting story that is covered, briefly but perfectly. You get a broad spectrum of the kinds of men that go to war, what they left behind, and how it effects them when they return.

The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous and Sam Mendes' direction is pitch perfect.

Jakc Gyllenhaal gives an astounding performance, as does Jamie Foxx, but it is Peter Sarsgaard that steals the show, with a heartbreakingly subtle ghost of a performance.

This is definitely a must-see.