Full Metal Jacket (1987)

 Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Movies about Vietnam have been commonplace in the late 70’s-1980’s. More often that not, masterpieces were created about this topic. Of course, we all know about The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, and Platoon. Let’s add another one to the list: Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. This may actually be my favorite out of all the movies I listed. Kubrick’s story is told in two sections; the boot camp sequences at Parris Island and the actual fighting in Vietnam. While the Vietnam scenes are harrowing, nailbiting, and features excellent sound/visual choices, the first half of the film is sheer perfection. R. Lee Ermey as the colorful squad leader and Vincent D’Onofrio as Private Gomer Pyle deliver exemplary performances. Watching Ermey turn D’Onofrio into an instrument of death is nothing short of terrifying. Kubrick does not have an extensive filmography so when he directs something, you know its something that needs to be seen. After all, Kubrick created one of the best war movies ever made.

Kubrick’s original idea for his movie was to be about the holocaust. After conversing with Vietnam expert Michael Herr, Kubrick scrapped that idea and wanted to tackle Vietnam. Both men read a book called “The Short Timers” by Gustav Hasford and both felt it was the ideal book to tackle. Kubrick decided to change the name of the title because he felt the original title was too confusing, and good idea too. Together the three men created the screenplay but of course Kubrick was in control as he always was with his films. The actual screenplay itself is fantastic, but it did come with improvisation. Ermey was an actual drill sergeant for the Marines and he ad-libbed about 50% of his colorful insults. So, maybe Ermey should have also gotten a writing credit. Anyhow, critics seem divided when exploring the film’s themes. Personally, it did not feel like an anti-war critique. It is just a straightforward war film that describes training and war itself as is. Isn’t training supposed to be the drill sergeant dehumanizing recruits so they can become killing machines?

The film starts off with the recruits entering training camp under the watchful eyes of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey). The main focus is on Hartman’s relationship with Privates Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Joker (Matthew Modine). Hartman turns Pyle into a killing machine through efficient and terrifying means. Pyle receives grief because he is good at nothing but does discover he has excellent marksman skills which that and Joker’s unwillingness to interfere leads to a chilling showdown of Part One. Part Two focuses on Joker’s experience in Vietnam. Joker wanted to become a killer, but the Tet offensive he was thrown into will ultimately answer that question as he embraces his role as a combat correspondent.

One of the reasons why I found the first 45 minutes to be perfection is because of R. Lee Ermey and Vincent D’Onofrio. Ermey, being a lifelong military brat, was born for this role. Kubrick originally thought he was not intimidating enough but was proven wrong. He is a beast at slinging insults, since that is pretty much all he does. D’Onofrio was also not Kubrick’s first choice, but he eventually won over the director’s heart and was told to gain seventy pounds. Watching him get picked on by Ermey made me feel so helpless but it gave his character many memorable scenes. The second half is not perfect, but still very good thanks to Modine’s acting and moral questioning.

Like all of Kubrick’s films, the technical aspects are in tip-top form. People may have issues with the second half, but there is no denying the technical skills. The sniper sequences worked for me, but I think the ability of sound mixing and editing comes into play. Kubrick is also known for his visuals and interesting camera angles when it comes to characters lacking a sense of morals. What he did with Jack Nicholson in The Shining and Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange, he does with Vincent D’Onofrio. That brow down, eyes up hidden in the shadows that signifies evil. I always think about that climatic scene in the barrack’s bathroom where that particular scene took place. Can never forget it! Also, Kubrick’s daughter, Vivian did a great job putting together a solid list of songs about Vietnam. No CCR, but hello Nancy Sinatra!

When Full Metal Jacket was first released, it was more of a mixed bag (like most of Kubrick’s films). Critics lauded the first half but felt the second half undid the movie. The first half is perfection and probably the best you will ever see in terms of basic training sequences, but the second half is still expertly shot and involves some very harrowing sniper action. The central themes are simple, but Kubrick never wanted to go too deep. He wanted to tell a straightforward war movie and that is what we got. He also gave us R. Lee Ermey, who has the best insults. I am not sure how he came up with this vulgarity, but I loved it. In the pantheon of war movies about Vietnam, Kubrick’s masterpiece deserves to be near or at the top.

My Grade: A+