I have two new obsessions. One is the awesome movie THE HURT LOCKER which I recently saw, sort of by accident. The second is The Hurt Locker's star, the awesome JEREMY RENNER.
Maybe you've heard the buzz. I hadn't. Honestly, I had a moment of girl power that drove me to see this film. I happened to notice that the DGA had a screening of this unknown (to me) movie and that it was to be followed by a Q & A with the film's FEMALE director, Kathryn Bigelow. I only went because I thought it might be cool to hear a female director answer a few questions. Low and behold, I show up to the packed screening and was blown away by this movie. This is no dainty rom-com or chick flick. Apparently Ms. Bigelow is the rare breed of the rare breed of female directors who GET to make action films. But this is also no typical action film. And, I have a feeling this director wouldn't approve of the "female director" label distinction. She seems hard core like that.
In case you don't know, The Hurt Locker centers on three members of a U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal squad in Iraq. They have to dismantle bombs which are often found in very public, populated areas of Bagdad. Yes, this is an "Iraq War movie." But, no, it is not like any other Iraq movie -- at least none that I have seen. There is little-to-no politics -- no pro-war or anti-war propaganda. This movie is about the everyday work of these three soldiers. That's what this war apparently is to them -- work. Work they happen to be good at and take seriously. Talk about a stressful job. This is one of the most suspenseful movies I have seen. Ever.
Jeremy Renner plays the charming, but wild, adrenaline-filled team leader. And, boy is this guy charming. I have to say, I had a complete girl moment watching him where I wished I could have appeared on-screen in Bagdad, just walking by, maybe our eyes might meet...hmm
Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty play the other two team members who are often appalled and angered by Renner's character's reckless ways of doing their job. Don't know who any of these actors are? Don't worry about it. You're not supposed to. (You might know Anthony Mackie from HALF NELSON or SHE HATE ME...but maybe not). Anyway, they all give powerful performances.
The "names" in this movie aren't really names. Guy Pearce? Ralph Fiennes? Evangeline Lily? And they're barely in the movie at all so don't go just to see one of them. (Or not go to avoid one of them.) I happened to see SAVING PRIVATE RYAN back in the day, during my Matt Damon phase. Great movie, of course, but, man, was I disappointed by his lack of screen time.
Anyway, Jeremy Renner is the star and he's so good in the movie you might wonder where he's been all these years. Who the heck is this guy anyway? Well, he's been around and hopefully he'll be around for quite a while longer. Below is a picture of my newest "phase". It's Jeremy Renner phase time.
Go girl power.
