Sam Mendes crafts this masterpiece from a book by former Marine Anthony Swofford. Swofford wrote about his many experiences in pre-Desert Storm as well as his actually fight in Kuwait. Mendes, like most of his other films, focuses more on emotions rather then action to drive the message home. This message is one for all Americans and pays homage to the soldiers that have been fighting for centuries for our beloved country. Sounds cheesy doesn't it? I thought the same thing until I saw the film masterfully unfold before my eyes. Mendes is able to take this autobiography and turn it into a powerful cinematic masterpiece that will keep you wanting more.
The film follows Swofford, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, on his psychological journey through war. He begins in boot camp where he is almost immediately picked to have the honor of being a Marine sniper. Marine snipers are some of the most feared cold-blooded killers on the planet and not to mention a little crazy. I would be crazy too if I had to look into the eyes of the man I was about to kill before slowly pulling the trigger. Through his training we meet his instructor Staff Sgt. Sykes, played by Jaime Foxx which helps guide him through the experiences of war. Swofford's sniper partner is Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) who upon arrival in Kuwait has discovered that he will not be able to reenlist when he gets back home. All of his life he has lived to be a Marine, unlike Swofford who just wants out. Swofford is asked by Sykes to look over Troy and to make sure that he does not screw up, but in actuality for most of the film it seems like Swofford is the screw up.
Once in Kuwait the story begins to focus more on the psychological side that the Marine's experiences while having to patiently wait for the fighting to happen. We see their minds slowly unfold while they experience boredom, wives and girlfriends cheating on them and extreme heat. All of these wrapped together ensure for several laughs, but also a lot of thought once you leave the theatre. Mendes does a wonderful job of weaving the story together to show you the intricate and delicate mind of a sniper. The ironic side here is that the psychological aspects of the film and the experiences of Desert Storm cut much deeper because there never really was much fighting.
The cinematography is amazing. The film was mainly shot in the Imperial Valley which lies between San Diego and Los Angeles. The valley has a large sweeping desert and vast open spaces which Mendes is able to turn into something rather magnificent. Besides cinematography, I feel that Gyllenhaal and Mendes will receive Oscar nods this year. Gyllenhaal is really beginning to make a name for himself and starting to prove to audiences everywhere that not only does he have the looks, but also the amazing talent to play almost any type of character and do it very well.
My thoughts - This film is not an action movie, so if you are looking for one please do not go see this. I only mention this because several people in the theater with us made comments throughout the film on how much it sucked because it lacked action. I think that these idiots were too stupid to realize the deeper meaning and did not understand the type of films that Sam Mendes has become most known for. They meaning is lost on them and in turn they try and ruin it for others because they just simply don't understand. So, if you want a deep, complex, thought provoking, well acted, amazing looking film...this is definitely the one to see.
