The Hurt Locker, released in 2009 garnered near universal acclaim from critics and viewers alike. Winning the Best Film and Best Director Awards at the Oscars (beating James Cameron’s Avatar), this offering from Kathryn Bigelow follows Bravo Company during their tour in the Iraq War. Specialising in bomb disposal we join Sergeants James and Sanborn as well as Specialist Eldridge as they go from task to task, risking their lives each time they move out. Operating as a critique of the War as well as a fascinating character study, the film is multi layered. As a critique of the War, we are exposed to the near paranoia of these men and are made to realise the enemy is not as clearly defined as it may seem. As a character study however, Jeremy Renner (The Town, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) plays Sergeant James, the new member of Bravo Company, who could not be more opposed to his colleague Sergeant Sanborn, Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau). Mackie is the chalk to Renner’s cheese. He portrays Sanborn as a by-the-book soldier who simply (along with his death obsessed team mate Eldridge (Brian Geraghty)) wants his tour over. Into this comes Renner, best described as a war junkie, he seems to be doing his utmost to ensure his team never makes it home. Ignorant towards authority and unconcerned by the risks posed to himself or others, he is a lit fuse Sanborn attempts to defuse. Despite this conflict, James’ actions gradually appear to dissemble themselves and we are given front row seats to a man’s realisation of what he is and what he feels he needs. Filmed in Jordan, miles from the Iraqi border, the realism of The Hurt Locker is evident. Locations feel genuine and a genuine tactility is pervasive throughout the film, ensuring the viewer is totally engaged with events. While complaints could be made over some scenes being excessive and difficult to watch, this seems to be what Bigelow was aiming for. This should make uncomfortable viewing as war is not natural. We are right to cringe and flinch as this is what is presented as the reality, and we as the viewers are fully engaged in it.
5/5
