The Hurt Locker

Jeremy Renner delivers a tour de force performance in this intense narration of the haunting, constant presence of potential death as a bomb disposal technician working for the US Army in Iraq. Receiving relatively little attention amidst the seasonal blockbusters, this is the first genuine Oscar-worthy film of 2009.

Renner plays James, the team leader of a 3 man group sent in to identify and disable improvised explosive devices. Their job is not glamorized, as is the case with so many of the other recent war-inspired films. In fact, this film gives the opposite impression; there is no explanation of the how or why each of the individuals ended up where they are, they are just desperately trying to survive in their own way while maintaining their sanity in the chaos of a hostile land.

James is more than a little unorthodox in his approach to his craft. His external bravado is his coping mechanism for a job that has no room for error. It is hard to determine whether his views are out of some sense of pride, or fear, and that is why the performance is so riveting. The uncertainty of safety permeates the universe that Katheryn Bigelow has created. Katheryn Bigelow has been mostly irrelevant since
she directed Point Break in 1991, but she has been working semi-regularly since then. This film starts and ends in her typical fashion; fast-paced and appealing to the action junkie.

What sticks with me the most is how horrific scenes become mundane routine for the brave men in uniform. Charred corpses, death, dismemberment, even justifiable homicide are all part of a random day's work. The visions and experiences are so unimaginable that they seem almost surreal. It is a torturous hell on earth, and they proceed day by day to cope in whichever way they can.

Cinematically speaking, it is well done. Not great, but definitely good. Slow-motion shots are integrated at an appropriate rate and the rest is conducted in real-time. There is a good mix of camera angles and modes. Bigelow makes good use of different methods and the film flows smoothly from beginning to end.

In the end, the sense of futility of modern-day combat is conveyed beautifully. Death does not choose when, it is an ongoing obstacle that just randomly chooses who and how. Although the film could have ended with a more realistic climax, the point is well received. Combat changes people and affects each individual in a distinctly different way. Each soldier has a story and a purpose, but that purpose may not be discovered until the moment of combat arrives.

I liked this film for what it was. It had a suspenseful story that wasn't too cliche, but it never quite delivered what I expected. I was impressed with the acting and the story, and with the quality direction that has won Bigelow multiple awards already this year. Renner makes a good choice with this one, and will move up as a solid leading man in the next few years. 8/10.