The Hurt Locker
The Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal, is a damn good film. In fact, I would have to say that it is the best film on the Iraq war that I have seen.
The film is not political. It doesn't take sides. It doesn't say whether or not we should have gone to war. The main focus of the film is about a three soldiers who find and dismantle bombs. Now that is one dirty and dangerous job.
William James (Jeremy Renner) is the new guy but he is also the leader of the group. He is an expert in his field but he is also a bit reckless. JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) is second in command and he resents James' recklessness. Young newcomer Owen Eldrigde (Brian Geraghty) is just scared out of his mind.
The film follows the threesome on their various missions and one is more suspenseful than the other. In fact, the film is at times nail biting, edge of your seat suspenseful. But during this time we come to see the real horror and dangers of war.
After the film someone commented that it was too real. But that is the point - it is a very realistic film.
Bigelow directs the film with brute force. She is a woman with cajones. No frilly dresses for this woman. Renner is terrific as a man who lives for danger. The more dangerous a situation is the more he gets an adrenaline rush. Mackie is wonderful as a more sensible soldier who butts heads with Renner's James. Geraghty is also very good as a petrified young soldier. Making cameo appearances are the likes of Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and David Morse. The film is beautifully shot by veteran cinematographer Barry Ackroyd.
Is The Hurt Locker the best film of the year so far? Well, that is a subjective question. It is not my favorite film but it is certainly one of the best made ones and it keeps you on your toes. And although it may be apolitical it does explore a man's (James) addiction to war. At the beginning of the film a phrase - "war is a drug" - appears on the screen. And in The Hurt Locker you will understand why that is true for certain people.
The film is not political. It doesn't take sides. It doesn't say whether or not we should have gone to war. The main focus of the film is about a three soldiers who find and dismantle bombs. Now that is one dirty and dangerous job.
William James (Jeremy Renner) is the new guy but he is also the leader of the group. He is an expert in his field but he is also a bit reckless. JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) is second in command and he resents James' recklessness. Young newcomer Owen Eldrigde (Brian Geraghty) is just scared out of his mind.
The film follows the threesome on their various missions and one is more suspenseful than the other. In fact, the film is at times nail biting, edge of your seat suspenseful. But during this time we come to see the real horror and dangers of war.
After the film someone commented that it was too real. But that is the point - it is a very realistic film.
Bigelow directs the film with brute force. She is a woman with cajones. No frilly dresses for this woman. Renner is terrific as a man who lives for danger. The more dangerous a situation is the more he gets an adrenaline rush. Mackie is wonderful as a more sensible soldier who butts heads with Renner's James. Geraghty is also very good as a petrified young soldier. Making cameo appearances are the likes of Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and David Morse. The film is beautifully shot by veteran cinematographer Barry Ackroyd.
Is The Hurt Locker the best film of the year so far? Well, that is a subjective question. It is not my favorite film but it is certainly one of the best made ones and it keeps you on your toes. And although it may be apolitical it does explore a man's (James) addiction to war. At the beginning of the film a phrase - "war is a drug" - appears on the screen. And in The Hurt Locker you will understand why that is true for certain people.
posted by Film Fanatic | 8:14 PM
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