Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker - Film Review
Jeremy Renner’s Intense Performance Echoes Modern-day Wartime Action
Jul 25, 2009
Are we ready yet to leave the safety of amusing happy endings movies, and experience some serious emotions again? If you can take the dare, prepare to awaken all your senses as you behold the contents of The Hurt Locker.
Constant tension and heart-pounding danger permeates The Hurt Locker. This suspenseful and all-too-realistic war drama studies the varied effects of active combat on its characters, as they disarm live bombs.
A Portrait of Courage Under Fire
U.S. soldiers must volunteer for the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training. To be admitted as candidates, they must exhibit the ability to withstand extremely stressful situations and possess exceptional mechanical skills.
Adrenaline-junky, Staff Sergeant William James (exceptionally portrayed by Renner) assumes command of an EOD team, comprised of the resilient, intelligence-trained Sgt. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and the younger, traumatized Specialist Eldridge (Brian Geraghty). Stationed in Baghdad, these bomb techs undertake, and struggle to endure, potentially fatal operations during the peak of the 2004 Iraqi insurgency.
When dispatched to dispose of improvised explosive devices, or IED’s, the team leader suits up in heavily-weighted body armor. With the support of his squad, Sgt. James defuses the volatile mechanisms, under the likely added threat of a sniper attack or an insurgent with a remote detonation device.
While his fellow warriors admire their leader’s expert skills, they’re also mystified by Sgt. James’ recklessness during their already hazardous assignments. Does the cowboy-like James have a death wish, or, is he wildly addicted to war?
A Look Inside The Hurt Locker
The Hurt Locker was filmed in Jordan, near its border with Iraqi, during summertime temperatures reaching 135 degrees. The film's actors were housed, on set, in a communal tent with a dirt floor and without air-conditioning.
The Hurt Locker was written by journalist and screenwriter, Mark Boal, who also produces. The inspiration for Boal’s authentically written script came from his experiences and observations from being embedded with a U.S. Army bomb disposal squad in Baghdad.
Boal also wrote a true account of a military veteran investigating the disappearance of his son, on which Paul Haggis based his critically-acclaimed film, In the Valley of Elah.
Cast and Crew of The Hurt Locker
Starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty; with special appearances by Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce and Evangeline Lilly.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, Strange Days, The Weight of Water). Written by Mark Boal. Cinematography by Barry Ackroyd. Production design by Karl Júlíusson. Edited by Bob Murawski.
Produced by Nicolas Chartier,Greg Shapiro and Mark Boal. Executive Producer is Tony Mark. U.S. distribution by Summit Entertainment.
(Running Time: 131 min)
(Rated: R, for War violence and language)
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