The Hurt Locker is a new nationally distributed film produced and directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It is a disturbing but exceptional film about an Army EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) team, or "Army Bomb Squad" serving in Iraq in 2004. It is NOT a documentary. The movie is a drama, taking many dramatic liberties as would be typical of any "Hollywood" production.
The movie is rated "R" for its violence and Army language. The movie would be disturbing to many Latter-day Saints, but there would be others with a connection to or an interest in the military that would find this film worthy of their attention. The movie lasted a little over two hours.
The camera work and acting in this movie were brilliant. Consequently, it was easy to suspend one's disbelief, allowing one's mind to be placed into the Iraq war. The main actors are not well known, but as a result the audience comes to realize that any of the characters in the movie are at risk. A "John Wayne" (typically) does not die in war movies.
Any movie, even those having a high caliber such as this show, will fall short of the details of reality. In another review, "EOD Soldiers View The Hurt Locker," there was this interesting quotation:
Jim O'Neil, executive director of the EOD Memorial Foundation, said the inaccuracies do not take away from the importance of the film.
"The vast majority of everyone I talked to enjoyed the film, and they appreciated there is a credible EOD movie. This very dangerous field in the military has been overlooked in the entertainment industry," O'Neil said. "It's a movie, not a training film."
The movie serves a high purpose. It reminds audiences of the high sacrifices of EOD teams. For example, ordinary citizens should be aware of the EOD Memorial Foundation, and should learn a little about the history of EOD soldiers.
Of course, the personalities depicted in the film are exaggerated and excessively macho. Even so, the excesses cause the viewer to ponder appropriate questions about the nature of disarming bombs. What type of personality would be required to serve on an EOD team? What is the life expectancy? What are the risks for PTSD? How many bombs are diffused in a typical career or during a yearlong deployment?
The official trailer can be viewed at the provided link. A version is embedded below:
My wife and I had a frightening experience just prior to the film that set a negative tone.
The theater was part of a large metropolitan mall. As we waited for the matinee to start we ate lunch at the mall's food court. As we finished eating and started heading to the embedded theater we encountered a man (with an official-looking badge on his belt but no obvious uniform) inside the mall carrying a large rifle case, and he had at least two exposed side arms holstered on his belt. I stared at him in disbelief, as this action was provocative and may have violated law.
What should good citizens do in such a case? Our movie was about to start. We headed a short distance to the Security Office. We had to wait five or ten minutes, but we reported what we saw. The security officer told us they were "watching him."
Not to be counseled by our fears, we entered into the theater multiplex under the belief that we had performed our civic duty. Still, I had to wonder whether we had just entered our own version of the hurt locker. Had we done enough? What else could we do?
We missed some previews, but saw the full movie.
After the pre-movie and movie experience it was easy to conclude: Peace is better than war and violence. I want my next movie to be a romance (without vampire teeth please).
Copyright 2009 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.
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4 comments:
Great review, Steve. I very much enjoyed the movie, although as I told your wife on FB the handheld camera gave me motion sickness.
Kevin:
I was so wrapped up in the movie that any motion seemed to come from the nature of what was being filmed rather than from the cameras. But, I can see how you might feel that way.
Steve:
Thanks for your review of the film. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I am also very appreciative of your comments regarding, and attention to, the EOD Community and the EOD Memorial Foundation.
As the Executive Director, I am honored to be associated with such courageous and remarkable people. Each of them are willing to lay down their own life to protect another's. No greater love...
I just returned from Afghanistan, and the fight rages on with our techs continually facing the emotional and physical challenges of donning that bomb suit and walking that lonely walk towards an IED. Bravery and grace in each step.
Please ask your fellow bloggers, your church, and friends to keep our techs and their families in your prayers.
Thanks.
Jim O'Neil
Executive Director
EOD Memorial FOundation
jim.oneil@eodmemorial.org
www.eodmemorial.org
Jim:
I am honored that you would make a comment on this site. One of the key themes of my blog is the military, of which I have immense appreciation. Thanks for all that you do!!
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