THE ASTOR REVIEW

Kubrick’s Vietnam drama is told in two parts; the boot camp and the war itself. Where Apocalypse Now focused on the insanity of the battlefield, Jacket explores the personal motivations of its young characters and the mental and physical breakdown endured during their training. Coupled with R Lee Emery’s frighteningly real performance as the raving drill sergeant (he was a real-life drill sergeant), Full Metal Jacket is undeniably powerful and compelling viewing.

IMDB SYNOPSIS

A two-segment look at the effect of the military mindset and war itself on Vietnam era Marines. The first half follows a group of recruits in basic training under the command of the punishing Sgt. Hartman. The second half shows one of those recruits, Joker, covering the war as a correspondent for Stars and Stripes, focusing on the Tet offensive.