G.I. Jane

This movie is entertaining but unfortunately, its vulgarity got in the way of the storytelling. I felt there were too many swear words and inappropriate images. Setting that aside, the story was fine and the film had a heroine around which to give the movie a center. I felt however that the supporting characters lacked development.

The acting is the best quality of this film, led by Demi Moore. She will always be remembered for this role in both a positive and negative light. I personally don’t find her work bad in this movie. I will admit that she has done better acting jobs however. Because of “G.I. Jane”, I was introduced to other people in the movie business but it was later in their careers where they fully got my attention. This was my first Ridley Scott film but his name did not stick out to me until his next film “Gladiator”. This was also my first Viggo Mortensen film. I liked the performance of this future Oscar nominated actor but it is nothing compared to what I saw later with him as a ranger of Middle Earth. I was also introduced to James Caviezel though this movie but just like Scott and Mortensen, his work did not catch my attention until a later film. In this case, it was “The Count of Monte Cristo”. The music is also good in “G.I. Jane”. The story has some good moments that illustrate issues of sexism and prejudice. The lunchroom scene really spells out the mental obstacles that O’Neil will have to overcome. I like how the candidates try to persuade any man heading for the bell not to ring it. It shows how teamwork is essential to their success. I also love the scene where the candidates must write an essay with “O mio babbino caro” playing. There is contrast and also humor. We see other good story moments such as when Cortez gets justice for not helping O’Neil during the obstacle course. A good use of cinematography is where O’Neil walks towards but then past the bell after many others have rung it. The scene where she shaves her head shows visually her desire to be treated equally. She fully means what she says now. I enjoy the moment when McCool tells the story of his grandfather. O’Neil has support on the inside for what she is doing. We, the audience, think that Master Chief is not sexist but during the torture scene, we begin to doubt our assumptions. Maybe he is trying to make O’Neil quit or maybe he is trying to make her succeed. Maybe he is playing mind games with the guys when he tries to tell them how O’Neil will bring them down in combat. At the very end of the scene, he reveals that he is genuinely trying to overcome his prejudices and get the other candidates to do the same. Senator DeHaven initial scenes foreshadow that she has an ulterior motif and it is revealed nicely how she is another antagonist.

The movie has a center with Moore but it is not as strong a center as it could be. It would have been nice also to get to know the other characters more so as to create a relatable experience for the audience. I don’t like shows that are vulgar because they can be. I feel that filmmakers who insert swearing, violence and sex into movies for the lone sake of entertainment are seeking fame as opposed to respectability. Some stories require or use vulgarity for specific story purposes. “G.I. Jane” on the other hand has offensiveness only to arouse the audience into liking the film. That is why the movie doesn’t get higher than 3 stars in my opinion.

3 Stars