This first person account of the first Gulf War scores with its performances and cinematography but lacks an emotional thrust. Read critic reviews
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Jarhead videos
Jarhead: Official Clip - Training Death
Jarhead: Official Clip - Swofford Loses It
Jarhead: Official Clip - Stripping Soldiers
Jarhead: Official Clip - Drill Sergeant Intro
Jarhead: Official Clip - Permission to Take the Shot
Jarhead: Official Clip - The Scorpion Fight
Jarhead: Official Clip - Christmas Party Flares
Jarhead: Official Clip - We're Going Home!
Jarhead: Official Clip - Demotion & Latrine Duty
Jarhead: Official Clip - Bugle Try Out
Jarhead Photos
Movie Info
In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) during this time, which is shortly before the advent of the Gulf War. When the United States becomes involved, Swofford is shipped out, along with his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day -- about the war and home -- the soldiers try to maintain composure.
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Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Pervasive Language|Strong Sexual Content)
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Genre: War, Drama
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Original Language: English
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Director: Sam Mendes
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Producer: Lucy Fisher, Sam Mendes, Douglas Wick
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Writer: William Broyles Jr.
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Release Date (Theaters): wide
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $62.6M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Universal Pictures
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Production Co: Red Wagon Entertainment, Neal Street Productions
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Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)
Cast & Crew
News & Interviews for Jarhead
Critic Reviews for Jarhead
Audience Reviews for Jarhead
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"Every war is different. Every war is the same." From director Sam Mendes comes the compelling war drama Jarhead. Based on a memoir by Anthony Swofford, the film follows Swofford as he joins the Marines and is recruited to be a sniper, but he soon finds himself stationed in Saudi Arabian as part of Operation Desert Shield endlessly waiting to see action. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, Lucas Black, and Chris Cooper, a film features a strong cast that gives good performances. And Mendes does a great job at capturing the isolation and beauty of the desert, and at showing the horrors of war. Additionally, Thomas Newman provides a terrific score. Yet at times the film gets a little crass and vulgar, but it's also incredible honest. While it has some problems, Jarhead is a powerful look at the life of a soldier.
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Reminiscent of Full Metal Jacket to a certain extent, Jarhead gives a different picture of war- the kind that's beyond explosions, ambushes, and chaos.
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Not at all what I was expecting, It focuses on the the life of one soldier and his time in Afghanistan, There is no action at all but somehow you get really gripped, It's brilliantly acted, Worth a watch.
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Upon first viewing, 'Jarhead' is no more than a portrait of the psychological challenges of a boring war. Yet, after the credits role, this film settles into your stomach and mind and doesn't leave. Sam Mendes creates a beautifully terrifying atmosphere with amazing cinematography and a strong cast of actors, with Gyllenhaal, Foxx, and Sarsgaard showing true talent. This film is not a trigger-happy gun show, but instead a poignant portrayal of soldiers battling themselves instead of the enemy. It's refreshing to see a great filmmaker give a unique turn on the modern 'war' genre.
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