The Hurt Locker (2009)
The Hurt Locker (2009): 9.4/10
The Hurt Locker does what was thought to be impossible at this point; make a great film about the War in Iraq. The films' different structure allows for a lot of unpredictability within the plot while the observant way in which situations are allowed to play out in this film prevent it from aiming to primarily thrill with its unpredictability.
The film is uncommonly intriguing and addresses many of the issues of war without throwing them in our face. It delves into forced group dynamics, acquired and justified paranoia, dehumanization, having to face potential death on a daily basis, difficult decisions, repressed emotions, desperation, repressed tension coming out in a dangerous mix of rage and near eroticism, the need for adrenaline and much much more.
The film simultaneously focuses on character at the same time it is focusing on the danger and the situation at hand. Kathryn Bigelow has achieved something very special here. Instead of having scenes which focus on character and seperate scenes for action, Bigelow manages to infuse the characterization through how they handle the dangerous situations we see them in and by how they interact with each other. There are definitely scenes that serve to only develop the characters but these scenes serve almost as a bonus because of how well the characters are portrayed during the action scenes.
The action scenes are ridiculously well done. Bigelow uses much more creative and patient methods of building suspense especially for a war movie. She lets the scene build and lets the uncertainty and paranoia sink in to the point where the audience acquires it as well. These scenes are the bulk of the film. We never have any idea where they are going. They are the basis of the film which the shorter scenes are built around. She builds suspense with very little music, with shots that (refreshingly) last more than two seconds which is shocking and once again refreshing especially for an action/war film.
The Hurt Locker does not allow itself to get bogged down in politics. In fact it almost seems apolitical. It really just observes the situations and attempts tp depict the reality of it. I cannot really picture it displeasing any political group.
While Eldridge (Bryan Geraghty) and Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) are really fantastic, Jeremy Renner is the standout here. Something I really love here is that none of the characters are black and white, they all have flaws and they all seem like real people. Renner especially. Will James is a very memorable character. At the beginning I thought he would just be some sort of psychotic. By the end we see that he has a ton of heart. He needs the adrenaline rush. He loves dismantling bombs and he needs it. He goes about things in a way different than protocol and while he is risking others lives, he is not trying to be reckless for the sake of it; he is doing it because he truly believes in his own way of getting the job done. The interactions he has with Beckham are very telling and also his reaction to realizing that he mistook the boy for someone else. There is also the scene in which he comforts Eldridge in the middle of a tough situation. This is generaly a good person. The slow reveal throughout the film that not only shows us that but continues to add layers was the most interesting part of the film for me. I knew Jeremy Renner from somewhere and to see that he played Wood Hite in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was a bit of a mindblow. This is an incredible and very subtle performance.
I also need to give a special shoutout to Christian Camargo as Col. John Cambridge or Doc. He played Brian on the first season of Dexter and I was absolutely captivated by him on the show so to see him pop up in this film was a delight and I thoroughly enjoyed every scene he was in. Although I must say the only truly predictable part of the film was the moment in which he said he was going with them. I knew right then he was doomed.
I have very little complaints about the film. I thought the effect that ends the first scene in the film was unneccesary. It was a cool effect but the film is so beyond it so it felt completely out of place. I also felt that the scene in which they go hunting at night for the insurgents did not nearly carry the power of other scenes and I felt it more so because it is such an important scene so late in the film; I wish it had lived up to the other scenes preceding it. Other than that, I had no problems with this film.
The Hurt Locker is a rare film that will hopefully be remembered come Awards Season (I think it will be only because everyone is worried it will be forgotten that it makes it not forgotten as a result). Its use of simultaneous characterization and suspenseful patient buildup of terrifying and/or routine situations works on every level. We are put in the situation as audience members but the focus never strays too far fro mhow the characters are interacting and the camera manages to stay mostly observant at the same time. It is extremely involving and exhilarating with a standout performance by Jeremy Renner. Kathryn Bigelow's direction is astounding and confident and I am sure she will be remembered come Oscar time. This is a huge accomplishment for her and for female directors. This is a remarkable film.
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Sorry, i didn't read all your review for fear of spoilers, but I do enjoy your honest writing style.
i am such a huge Bigelow fan (Strange Days and Near Dark being faves) that I am banging my own head against a locker because I missed this on the bigscreen.
Nothing but praise has come my way about this and I even enjoyed other Iraq films too like Jarhead and Three Kings...but then that was round 1, this is round 2!
Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth