SXSW 2009: Too Late to Duck and Cover

The Hurt Locker is a narrative movie about an E.O.D. team, for Bravo Company, in Baghdad. They are short-timing it with only 39 days left when their lead tech (Guy Pearce) is K.I.A. He is replaced by a Cowboy (Jeremy Renner) who may just get everyone dead. It was the indecision of young specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) to shoot a suspecious character that led to the death of his teammate, a mistake that is not sitting well with him. It is up to Sergeant Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) to keep the unit alive for just 39 more days.

I liked this movie overall, but I usually like my movies to either turn my brain off and suspend all disbelief, or turn it all of the way on with a realistic portrait of the situation, be it war, history, or what have you. There is a great human story, coupled with heart-pounding and intense situations. There are a few side stories besides survival. There is the plight of the forever soldier, those whose guilt is so deep for leaving friends in the war, that they return. Some part of this is because they feel that this is all they know. And, there is the soldier who just wants to do his job knowing full well that it may all be in vain.

This is a movie that may only make limited releases across the US. I recommend you track it down, and see it if you can. It was directed by Kathryn Bigelow of Point Break, Near Dark, Strange Days, and K-19. Strange Days is on my all-time favorites list. Seek it out, hang on for an explosive movie (couldn't help myself), and enjoy.