The Hurt Locker

United States 2009, 131 mins
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Jeremy Renner

Synopsis

An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of battle.

When a new sergeant, James (Renner), takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team in a violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat.

As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos and James’s true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.

Based on first-hand observation by journalist Mark Boal, who was stationed with a special bomb unit, the film couples grippingly realistic action with intimate human drama to portray soldier psychology in a high-risk profession where men volunteer to face deadly odds.