The Hurt Locker (2008) By Andrew Barrick

The Hurt Locker / 2008

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow / USA / 1951

Budget: $15 Million

Gross: $49 Million Approx.

Synopsis:  Set in Baghdad after the U.S. invasion an Army bomb-disposal team is sent in to investigate reports of an improvised explosive device. After the death of the teams lead member, Sargent William James is sent in to take over the unit. Through their actions we learn of their experience and journey as they struggle to survive in the harsh environment of urban Iraq.


Keywords: Improvised Explosive Devices, Iraq War, Military, Terrorism, Self Sacrifice


Characterization/Dialogue: The characters in the film are fully rounded and are developed by the conversations they have with each other. Each character has specific goals and aspirations during and after the conflict.


Camera/Lighting/Editing Technique: Documentary Style, Hand-Held Camera, Fast Paced Editing, Close Ups, Crossing the 180-degree line


Political/Social Commentary: The Hurt Locker sets out to take a look at the story of U.S. soldiers who sacrifice there lives for the freedom of others. The film is set during the war on terrorism in the Middle East.

Notable Collaboration: Iraqi refugees with theatrical training were cast in the film as extras.

Random Fact: Won 6 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Film Editing)

Sources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hurt_Locker
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hurtlocker.htm

Point of View:
The P.O.V. of The Hurt Locker is that of Sgt. William James and his bomb disposal unit. We see the events of the film through his eyes and witness his experiences. When he is strapped into his protective gear the audience is right along with his character, stuffed into his heavy padded suit. The viewer feels his blood, sweat and tears. We see first hand from James, his association with a young Iraqi boy Beckham, and an innocent man who is used as a suicide bomber. Overall the film is given a rather adjective view on the conflict of urban warfare in the Middle East operation.

Identity:
On a number of occasions during the film the characters of Sgt. James and Sgt. Sanborn butt heads together. They are both trying to accomplish their mission and goals and both feel that they are making the right decisions in regards to the mission at hand. Sanborn is there to support and protect James during his bomb diffusing missions, but later in a sniper attack on the Army unit it is James and protects Sanborn from harms way. This speaks of their character and personal identities as separate individuals and yet "brothers" when it comes the the Army team and its members.

Morality:
Throughout The Hurt Locker morality plays a major key role. With much of the war on terrorism, the morality of what is right and wrong is a dividing factor. Life and death are constant during the film, with choices made as to who will live and who will die. James, Sanborn, and Eldridge makes choices both personal and representative of the Army unit as a whole. While the team is stranded and surrounded by "terrorist" snipers, Specialist Eldridge asks Sgt Sanborn if he should take a shot. Sanborn clarifies to the Specialist that it's his call whether to pull the trigger or not.

Memory:
After Sgt. William James returns from his year rotation with Bravo company he makes the decision to return to Iraq and serve with another bomb disposal unit. Civilian life as he remembers it has become so trivial and he longs to return back into the heat of modern warfare. Something that he states is the only things that he truly understands and loves.