The Marines of Jarhead might appreciate the irony of 500 people waiting for up to 90 minutes to see a movie about soldiers waiting 175 days to see combat. Like about half the would-be viewers, many Marines saw no action.
The SPEC Film Society gave a free screening of the movie -- which is officially released today and is based on Anthony Swofford's 2003 best-selling Gulf War memoirs -- last night at the Bridge: Cinema de Lux.
Unlike the typical modern war movie, Jarhead's plot is driven by the psychological and emotional anguish of waiting for combat.
"It really captures the day-to-day labor of being a Marine," Swofford, a former Marine Corps scout-sniper, said in a question-and-answer session that followed the screening.
The atmosphere varies from absurd tragedy to raucous dark humor, with an equally diverse soundtrack often juxtaposed with the action, as a new recruit Swofford is strapped to a bed by Marines threatening to brand him to the whistling of "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
The unexpected turnout at the Bridge -- about twice the theater's capacity -- forced screening staff to turn away hundreds. The overwhelming crowd was drawn by tickets distributed by a Universal Studios street team to local universities as well as by SPEC, which was unaware of the studio's effort.
Wharton freshman John Eisenberg, a screening coordinator, said the event was intended only for Penn students, though many from nearby schools attended.
In the movie, Swofford's character explains that "jarhead" refers both to a Marine's haircut and his mind, "an empty vessel." The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx and is directed by American Beauty's Sam Mendes.
"At the beginning especially, I thought it was really similar to Full Metal Jacket, but after that it became a thing of its own," said College junior Dave Verbofsky, who now plans to read Swofford's book.
Swofford hopes soldiers in Iraq and civilians watching the film will contemplate "this gravest of duties" handed to the military.
At a time when military casualties are only news if a dozen die in a day, Swofford says that audiences "should leave the theater and talk about it."
