2009
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Evangeline Lill
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Runtime: 131 Minutes
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Rating: R

In an industry dominated by males Kathryn Bigelow has carved out a long and distinguished career as a director by beating the boys at their own game. The helmer of such cult classics as trashy tech-noir Strange Days and vampire western Near Dark, Bigalow has a knack for turning genre fiction on its head, making the familiar somehow feel fresh and vibrant.

From zen surf masters to nuclear submarine commanders, Bigalow consistently demonstrates an almost preternatural insight into just what makes alpha males tick, piercing the veil of the male psyche and making herself right at home. That she was able to secure completely independent financing for this, her latest, and at the same time retain final cut, cast who she wanted and shoot in the Middle East (surely a non starter for any studio) speaks to just how highly regarded Bigalow is as a filmmaker.

From a script penned by former Iraq War correspondent Mark Boal (who previously provided the story for somber anti-flag-waver In The Vallay of Elah), The Hurt Locker offers a thesis statement that for some war is a drug; a series of defining actions and existential moments the rush of which can be as enticing and intoxicating as any narcotic.

Click here to read the full review at Uinterview.com.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 pm and is filed under Action/Adventure, Feature Films, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.