Jarhead
Jarhead is a film about a US Marine Anthony Swofford’s experience in the Gulf War. After putting up with an arduous boot camp, Swofford and his unit are sent to the Persian Gulf where they are eager to fight, but are forced to stay back from the action. Swofford struggles with the possibility of his girlfriend cheating on him, and as his mental state deteriorates, his desire to kill increases.
What critics thought
Sam Mendes's Gulf War film earns real praise for its performances and the bold choice to center on boredom and psychological attrition rather than combat — but critics were genuinely split on whether that absence of action adds up to anything. Supporters found it a pointed, resonant portrait of frustrated soldiers; detractors felt its polished surfaces never cohere into a film with something urgent to say.
“Jarhead isn't overtly political, yet by evoking the almost surreal futility of men whose lust for victory through action is dashed, at every turn, by the tactics, terrain, and morality of the war they're in, it sets up a powerfully resonant echo of the one we're in today.”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
“What's so good about the movie is Gyllenhaal's refusal to show off; he doesn't seem jealous of the camera's attention when it goes to others and is content, for long stretches, to serve simply as a prism through which other young men can be observed”
Stephen Hunter·Washington Post
“the film evokes Three Kings, Full Metal Jacket, Catch-22, and other touchstones of the genre without ever establishing its own identity”
Ty Burr·The Boston Globe
“full of intensity with almost no real visceral impact”
A. O. Scott·The New York Times
“Although Jarhead is more visually accomplished and less empty than American Beauty or Road to Perdition, it still feels oppressively hermetic”
J. Hoberman·Village Voice
Genres
Drama, War
Cast & Crew
Sam MendesDirector
Jake GyllenhaalAnthony Swofford
Jamie FoxxStaff Sgt. Sykes
Peter SarsgaardAlan Troy
Scott MacDonaldD.I. Fitch
Chris CooperLt. Col. Kazinski
Laz AlonsoRamon Escobar
Lucas BlackKruger
Brian GeraghtyFergus O'Donnell
Damion PoitierPoitier
Jocko SimsJulius
Dennis HaysbertMajor Lincoln
John KrasinskiCorporal Harrigan
Thomas NewmanComposer
William Broyles Jr.Writer
Roger DeakinsCinematographyJarhead
Jarhead is a film about a US Marine Anthony Swofford’s experience in the Gulf War. After putting up with an arduous boot camp, Swofford and his unit are sent to the Persian Gulf where they are eager to fight, but are forced to stay back from the action. Swofford struggles with the possibility of his girlfriend cheating on him, and as his mental state deteriorates, his desire to kill increases.
What critics thought
Sam Mendes's Gulf War film earns real praise for its performances and the bold choice to center on boredom and psychological attrition rather than combat — but critics were genuinely split on whether that absence of action adds up to anything. Supporters found it a pointed, resonant portrait of frustrated soldiers; detractors felt its polished surfaces never cohere into a film with something urgent to say.
“Jarhead isn't overtly political, yet by evoking the almost surreal futility of men whose lust for victory through action is dashed, at every turn, by the tactics, terrain, and morality of the war they're in, it sets up a powerfully resonant echo of the one we're in today.”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
“What's so good about the movie is Gyllenhaal's refusal to show off; he doesn't seem jealous of the camera's attention when it goes to others and is content, for long stretches, to serve simply as a prism through which other young men can be observed”
Stephen Hunter·Washington Post
“the film evokes Three Kings, Full Metal Jacket, Catch-22, and other touchstones of the genre without ever establishing its own identity”
Ty Burr·The Boston Globe
“full of intensity with almost no real visceral impact”
A. O. Scott·The New York Times
“Although Jarhead is more visually accomplished and less empty than American Beauty or Road to Perdition, it still feels oppressively hermetic”
J. Hoberman·Village Voice
Genres
Drama, War
Cast & Crew
Sam MendesDirectorJake GyllenhaalAnthony SwoffordJamie FoxxStaff Sgt. SykesPeter SarsgaardAlan TroyScott MacDonaldD.I. FitchChris CooperLt. Col. KazinskiLaz AlonsoRamon EscobarLucas BlackKrugerBrian GeraghtyFergus O'DonnellDamion PoitierPoitierJocko SimsJuliusDennis HaysbertMajor LincolnJohn KrasinskiCorporal HarriganThomas NewmanComposerWilliam Broyles Jr.WriterRoger DeakinsCinematography