The Hurt Locker

The winner of the 2010 Academy Award for Best Picture, The Hurt Locker, is one of the most controversial, critically acclaimed and yet, unseen films to ever win the award.

The Story

The Hurt Locker follows the exploits of a three man team responsible for defusing mines in the Iraq War. The movie starts with the team leader being killed by a roadside bomb. The squad is then taken over by a reckless and cocky leader who makes a dangerous situation even more daunting. We discover that the new leader’s exploits are legendary as he has defused hundreds of bombs in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The other two members of the team focus on surviving until their assignment is complete, however they are convinced that the new leader will get them both killed with his irresponsible behavior.

As the story unfolds, the new team leader impresses his mates with his direction under fire. Yet, his careless behavior continues which leads to the wounding of one of the men. With the tour complete, the focus shifts to the reckless leader at home with his family as he yearns to get back into the fight. The movie ends with the leader outfitting his protective suit and walking alone presumably towards another roadside bomb.

The Meaning

First of all, The Hurt Locker is an accurate depiction of the Iraq War. The Iraq War, unlike other American wars, does not have any battles or defined missions. The United States, within a matter of days, controlled the country. So, instead of a war, Iraq is more like to an occupation. Each day, week and month of the Iraq War is marked by similar events happening again and again: suicide and roadside bombs. By having the story show one similar scene after another perfectly portrays the situation in Iraq.

However, what makes the movie rise to the level of greatness is its deeper meaning. The Hurt Locker demonstrates the cultural attitudes of present day America. For future generations, they can watch this movie to understand U.S. society in the early part of the twenty first century.

Today, America is reckless, arrogant and stands alone as the world’s only superpower. It doesn’t matter what issue of society you examine: Wall Street, consumer debt, the Afghan and Iraq War or government spending, Americans are being irresponsible and arrogant to the fact that they are flirting with disaster every day. In The Hurt Locker, the main character is an embodiment of all what is America in 2010. Acting almost like a John Wayne character, he believes America is still great and infallible, yet, in reality, he is negligent with no inclination that his actions may have consequences. He has been successful for hundreds of missions, as the United States has been successful for hundreds of years. And, the thought of failure isn’t even considered.

In the last scene, which is the most haunting, the reckless soldier walks alone into one more dangerous situation. The viewing audience is left to wonder whether or not he will make it out alive. As America reels in debt, ignores its problems and continues its reckless behavior, we must also ponder whether or not the United States will survive.