Fans of the war movie genre may not have heard of this one. Directed by Sam Mendes, this war film starring Jake Gyllenhaal has been described as a “hidden gem” and it is streaming on Netflix right now. It was released in 2005 and is biographical war drama film based on Anthony Swofford’s 2003 memoir of the same name. It details on his military service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Persian Gulf War.
Jarhead also stars Peter Sarsgaard, Lucas Black and Jamie Foxx alongside Gyllenhaal. The film’s synopsis reads: “In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (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 (Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day – about the war and home – the soldiers try to maintain composure.”
The film was met with a mixed but positive-leaning critical response. The critics of Rotten Tomatoes gave the film 60%. Their consensus reads: “This first person account of the first Gulf War scores with its performances and cinematography but lacks an emotional thrust.”
One critic wrote in their review: “The first 20 minutes of have masterpiece written all over them, unfortunately, that fire peters out quite constantly until the film comes to a near flat lining ending.”
However, the fans gave the film a 68% rating with one describing it as a “hidden gem”.
One audience reviewer said: “I think this is an under appreciated movie that is a great allegory about modern war and the experiences of many in the armed forces during this time. I loved all the characters and the end did touch your heartstrings a bit. Worth a watch!”
“Jarhead is a movie that shows the struggles of war. The movie does this perfectly by having no combat in the entire movie watching as one soldier slowly slips into madness awaiting combat,” another audience reviewer added.
Jarhead is available to stream on Netflix right now.