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Jarhead

Play trailer Poster for Jarhead R Released Nov 4, 2005 2h 3m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 197 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
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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Jarhead

Jarhead

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Critics Consensus

This first person account of the first Gulf War scores with its performances and cinematography but lacks an emotional thrust.

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Critics Reviews

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Catherine Shoard Daily Telegraph (UK) Gyllenhaal can, in fact, act, so the blame must fall elsewhere for his dim performance, all topless tears and soulful voiceovers. The same goes for Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper and Jamie Foxx, three good actors forced into contortions of theatrics. Jan 16, 2018 Full Review Leslie Felperin Sight & Sound Jarhead is simultaneously audaciously original and so mired in the clichés it knowingly acknowledges, sends up and honours that it has little new to say. Sep 28, 2006 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Apr 1, 2006 Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site The deep demoralization of the US forces flows ultimately from their soul-destroying assignment to conquer the world on behalf of a bankrupt imperialism. Mar 5, 2021 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Jarhead aims to provide the eternal reason why young men are drawn to war, like moths to the flame. Swofford and director Sam Mendes stress that to most young GIs, even the most fervently created antiwar film is a fighting man's pornography. May 7, 2020 Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News These soldiers wanted action, any action, just to feel justified for the life they left behind and Mendes does a great job of showing that anguish. The cast is excellent, too. Rated: B+ Nov 19, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gorptholemew T 🍅 8.3/10 Jake Gyllenhaal, angry, beating it
😔✊. the song choices are like 10 out of 10. a very well done movie showcasing the war in Iraq with the (air quotes) safe side of the war, and the camaraderie between soldier but also there mentality. Also, the jokes made me chuckle. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/26/24 Full Review Chris M Forget what the elite, out-of-touch critics say. They never put on a uniform and kissed their family goodbye. Jarhead is one of the best war movies ever made. It’s raw, unfiltered, and paints an accurate picture of military life that most films miss. I first watched it during AIT at Ft. Sam Houston, and it hit me on a level few war movies ever do. So many films gloss over the reality of soldiers' mindsets, but Jarhead doesn’t hold back. The way it portrays the crass, tough attitudes of the Marines felt so real, I could see my own friends in the characters. There’s no doubt in my mind that actual Marines had a hand in making this film. Everything about it is dead-on, from the Jodies to the frustration, isolation, and the burning desire to kill. What sets Jarhead apart, though, is how it focuses on the internal battle rather than flashy combat scenes. It gives us a glimpse into the mental war raging inside a Marine’s head, a war that never seems to end. That’s what makes it so powerful. (This movie is a must see, especially if you're a service member, and even more so if you're a Jarhead!) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Brock C Its a really good movie definitely not the type of war movie that people are used too but it definitely is worth the time to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/03/24 Full Review Munkhchimeg T Absolutely one of the best of the best movie. Sooo realistic and scientific movie. Got lots of information and facts. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/09/24 Full Review Bahad j There is one thing about this movie that cannot be missed. I can see that it worked really well on the small details. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/08/24 Full Review Gnr E This is absolute banger Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Jarhead

Jarhead: Official Clip - Training Death Jarhead: Official Clip - Training Death 1:16 Jarhead: Official Clip - Swofford Loses It Jarhead: Official Clip - Swofford Loses It 3:01 Jarhead: Official Clip - Stripping Soldiers Jarhead: Official Clip - Stripping Soldiers 3:55 Jarhead: Official Clip - Drill Sergeant Intro Jarhead: Official Clip - Drill Sergeant Intro 2:36 Jarhead: Official Clip - Permission to Take the Shot Jarhead: Official Clip - Permission to Take the Shot 2:34 Jarhead: Official Clip - The Scorpion Fight Jarhead: Official Clip - The Scorpion Fight 1:17 Jarhead: Official Clip - Christmas Party Flares Jarhead: Official Clip - Christmas Party Flares 2:42 Jarhead: Official Clip - We're Going Home! Jarhead: Official Clip - We're Going Home! 2:58 Jarhead: Official Clip - Demotion & Latrine Duty Jarhead: Official Clip - Demotion & Latrine Duty 2:38 Jarhead: Official Clip - Bugle Try Out Jarhead: Official Clip - Bugle Try Out 2:12 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Sam Mendes
Producer
Lucy Fisher, Sam Mendes, Douglas Wick
Screenwriter
William Broyles Jr.
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Red Wagon Entertainment, Neal Street Productions
Rating
R (Some Violent Images|Pervasive Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 4, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$62.6M
Runtime
2h 3m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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