The Hurt Locker
What is a hurt locker? A slang term describing a serious physical condition suffered by an individual or individuals as a result of illness or injury by accident or other outside agent.
So here we are in a docudrama produced by a veteran documentarian, Ms. Bigalow. She produced the film with the current Mid east war as the focal point of interest. It is not you typical war story: there is no story. It is a film that follows the brief time of several soldiers during their deployment to the Mideast as part of the American military effort in the region. One could assume either Iraq or Afghanistan, you pick.
The tension and interest is created by focusing on the unit responsible for defusing roadside explosives or IED's. The nameless actors are young, career oriented soldiers coping with the job requirements that are source of deadly encounters. The film highlights the urban warfare/ terrorist landscape found throughout the region. The national newspapers report the daily carnage caused by these devices on innocent civilians and unsuspecting military personnel. Will it drive them to drinking? Apparently, so, as indicated by the drinking bouts engaged in by the actors.
Throughout the film, the director highlights the interactions of the soldiers with local civilians: tense observations from behind screened windows and doorways; suspicious individuals observing the soldiers' work from nearby perches; shouted orders in a language obviously incomprehensible are ignored to the grief of each party.
The film illuminates the landscape found in urban warfare, or here, urban terrorism conducted against innocents by religious fanatics and ideologues gone rogue. Essentially, this is police work. Participants are not on alert 24/7, they can retreat to protected venues to relax, and they have a time table for rotation out of the zone. No, it is not warfare as we know it, but police work as we know it to be, albeit with a foreign context.
Definitely worth viewing for those making an attempt to understand some of what is happening in the Mideast.
Very good and interesting review. I was particular struck by the idea of policing as opposed to soldiering. If I had not seen this movie, the review would have made me want to see it. Along with this review and having seen the movie, I can see why it has garnered critical acclaim. I also liked the idea of no name actors, easier to get into the role as soldiers. Good job.
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