I finally saw The Hurt Locker after hesitating for a long time (intense pressure-cooker films give me high anxiety) and have officially decided it is one of the most significant, yet difficult-to-watch films out there. When I first saw Schindler’s List years ago I had the same reaction – I was glad I watched it and knew the story but felt sickened and saddened by the content.
The war in Iraq is something that can’t be fully understood unless you physically go there, in my opinion. Most Americans at this point know someone who has served our country overseas and fought in the war… but what do we really know about the culture differences our troops face or what they have to do everyday for work?
The film is a non-stop thriller. My heart was pounding throughout the whole thing, and the bomb-detonators featured in The Hurt Locker never catch a break, which I think does accurately represent what is going on over there.
It’s hard to watch but I think every American should see it. No matter what you think of the war and the politics surrounding it, our troops are the ones carrying us through it all.
See The Hurt Locker at a theater near you.
