Jarhead (2005)

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 | Boredom | Gulf War

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

Color:

Color

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 Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | 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:

Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire originally vied for the lead role in the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The TWA logo visible on the side of the aircraft as the troops are coming off the plane was retired in the early seventies, by the time the movie takes place that livery had long been retired.

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 Taxi Driver (1976)

Soundtrack:

Ball and Chain

Full Metal Witch Project

Just saw an advanced screening of this tonight. While it isn't the film that has been so brilliantly advertised, it's a very solid film. It feels a lot like "Full Metal Jacket" early on, but with more humor. Then, it becomes an entirely new animal. More of a psychological study. I would actually call this the "Blair Witch Project" of war films in that you (and the characters) know the Boogeyman's "out there," you're just waiting for him to strike. And the longer you wait, the more stir-crazy you become within your own mind.

The acting is superb and the cinematography is stellar. It's an anti-war film without being distinctly liberal about it. It's a true story, and for the most part, Mendes tells it like it is. So, you can make your own judgment about it. But based off what you see, and all that happens, you have no choice but see the absurdity, not only in war, but perhaps in some of the USMC's tactics as well. It's heartbreaking to see what an experience like this can do to young men.

If you're looking for action, this is not the film you're looking for. No heroism, judgments, insight, or hope. Just the documentation and reflection of build up, the destruction of lives, psychological torment, boredom, camaraderie, and...waiting.