There have been several Iraq War films, some of them have been quite good, but this is the best so far. Kathryn Bigelow's gripping thriller doesn't have a political message about this particular war, but has something to say about war in general. In following the elite bomb squad soldiers, the film delves into how war can be a powerful drug.
Sgt. JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie, NOTORIOUS) is trying to finish out his tour in the bomb squad following a terrible accident. In this unit, Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty, JARHEAD) is having trouble coping with the thin line between life and death. He lashes out in his counseling sessions with Col. John Cambridge (Christian Camargo, NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS), who he believes doesn't know what its really like to be out in battle. Staff Sgt. William James (Jeremy Renner, 28 WEEKS LATER) becomes their new leader, and compared to their cautious former leader Sgt. Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce, MEMENTO), he looks reckless.
Bigelow has made some interesting films like NEAR DARK and STRANGE DAYS, but this one is on another plane. I truly believe she has broken a glass ceiling for female directors. Not that there was any doubt that a woman couldn't direct a testosterone-fueled nail bitter, but this will wake up narrow minded execs to the wide range of stories women directors can tackle. Working from a script from Mark Boal, who wrote the very good Iraq War mystery IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, Bigelow takes her time building tension. At two hours and 11 minutes, she doesn't waste a moment on extraneous material. She brings us into the mind frame and harrowing experiences of these brave and unnerved soldiers.
Renner crafts James as a cocky adrenaline addict who likes the danger and the challenge of disarming bombs by hand. He respects a good bomb maker, but he knows he's better. While his methods are unorthodox, he gains the respect of superiors like Col. Reed (David Morse, THE GREEN MILE), because he's the best. But his ways don't earn him any respect from his men, who believe his wild ways only put them in danger. But down deep, James wants to do good for his men, the military and the people of Iraq. The latter is showed in James' touching relationship with a young Iraqi boy named Beckham (Christopher Sayegh), whose English was clearly learned from foul mouthed soldiers who he sells pirated DVDs to. The real problem with James is that the stress has left him desensitized and irrational. Renner has been an actor I have always liked. This performance is Oscar worthy.
And so is Mackie's performance. He's a tough soldier whose training keeps him safe and out of harm's way. James comes along and challenges everything. He gets pulled out of his comfort zone and resents James, who he views as a redneck hotshot. Geraghty makes Owen a scared kid who just wishes he'll get out of Iraq alive, but isn't positive about his chances. Ralph Fiennes even pops up in a cameo role as a military contractor and reminds us how this war is different from any other.
In addition to the rich characters, the film captures the nerve wrecking experience of the bomb unit with truth. The bomb itself is only one of their worries when working in a war zone. It's not far off to say they have to disarm bombs with a gun to their heads. As the story goes along, each bomb gets more complicated and brutal. This can also be said of the psyche of the soldiers as well.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
