When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. (From IMDB)
The Hurt Locker has blown my mind, and completely taken over it.
Watching it was a draining process (since I have minimal knowledge of wars and bombs). When I finished it, my head hurt and I was too tired to formulate opinions. However, it began to hit me the next day when I started thinking about the film. Now I actually have a brain full of essays on what I like about it.
(The following is free of spoilers.)
The Hurt Locker is strictly a drama (a gripping one at that), rather than an accurate depiction of all aspects in the war in Iraq. It doesn’t tell you how agonizing the war is, it shows you how normal men react to such a situation. The film puts you in the characters’ shoes. It puts you in the same suspense and tension they are experiencing in a place where anyone can be your enemy. It puts you in their hesitation, frustration, resentment, regret and most prominently (exclusively for James) – excitement.
What I am most impressed by was the characters’ depth. We have our reckless (anti)hero and his two disconcerted subordinates who are scared for their lives. The conflict is obvious and very simple at first, but as time goes on, more things happen to change them. Some things in their mind are forever changed, some things are forever lost, but yet some things remains intact.
I feel like what I have written doesn’t do the film any justice. Nothing about the directing or the brilliant acting was mentioned! I would like to write a more in-depth entry on it if I have the chance. In short, The Hurt Locker is a great film with actual depth, an original script and excellent acting which provides an awful lot of inspiration. Go see it if you haven’t already!
2 Comments
I’ve heard really good things about this movie. It’s probably not one I will see though. I know I should be more aware about this sort of thing, but I dunno… movies about war make me uneasy.
I can finally comment on this post!
I just finished watching and I completely agree with you in all points. I’m not at all a fan of ‘war movies’ but, as you said, this is more prominently a drama and it’s so refreshing to see a story set on a war centered on the people more than on the action. The acting was excellent too, the scene almost at the end of James talking to his baby boy really broke my heart.
I would love to see this movie take a bunch of Oscars tonight
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[...] The Hurt Locker and want it to win almost everything it’s been nominated for (my review is here). Another reason I want it to win is that if it does, it’ll be one of the lowest grossing, [...]