365 Days. 365 Films.

Ever since America first declared their intentions of going to war with Iraq late in 2002 there have been a string of films dedicated to it, however Katheryn Bigelow’s interpretation of the Iraqi War seems to draw from common perceptions. The film diverts attention from the war itself in favour of a character study, revolving around a few select soldiers in a bomb squad. The characterization of bomb expert William James (Jeremy Renner) is the focal point of the film and anyone expecting an action-packed thrill ride will be sorely disappointed. Similarly anyone interested in the study of the war itself will find that the Iraqi War is merely a backdrop and a setting for the characters rather than a narrative device.

Jeremy Renner brings heart and soul to the film with his galvanizing performance, taking the film to a new level of affect upon his character’s introduction. Anthony Mackie’s Sergeant Sanborn is also a distinguishing character in the story, learning from Sergeant James that conventional methods are not always appropriate. The friendship between these characters builds with the story as the audience get a more intimate glimpse of soldiers’ lives both on and off duty.

Bigelow’s cinematic construction within the film surpasses others within the genre in building tension and proximity to characters’ emotions. The use of ‘shaky’, documentary style camera work puts you right in the action and her use of slow motion intensifies it. Bigelow manages to capture audience’s attention with a typical opening scene and later subverting their expectations by disassociating the war to accommodate the brilliantly written characters. This disassociation fixates the audience on the screen, leaving them wondering what will come next.

With seven Academy Awards, including Best Direction and Best Film it is difficult not to expect a lot from this film, but distanciation from the primary theme (Iraqi War) should leave room for you to thoroughly enjoy the characters.