G.I. Jane
In Theaters August 22, 1997
Rating: R
Review Date: 08-15-97
Studio site: G.I. Jane
Stars: Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft
Females in combat, that's the goal of Senator Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft)
in G.I. Jane, or so we are led to believe. Senator DeHaven is using
the conformation hearing of the new Chief of Staff to forward her feminist
agenda. Though does she or the military really want any woman to succeed
in this endeavor or do they both have another agenda?
The senator wants someone who will look good on magazine covers with her
but still is chosen by the military for other merits. The military submits
a list of potential candidates to the senator, and she chooses Lt. Jordan
O'Neil (Demi Moore) for the job. The next decision is where to try her
and the military decides to put her in the Navy SEAL program, a program
where 60% of the enrollees don't make it through. Can Jordan cut it in
the SEAL program? Can she beat the stereotypes that confront her? That
is where G.I. Jane decides to take us, on a tour of what it takes
to become a SEAL man or woman.
The SEAL training regiment is extremely difficult and this film shows us
that. Both man and woman are just beaten into the ground in an attempt
to harden them for the rigors of one of the most skilled forces in the
armed services. This film works hard to show us in a graphic sense what
training for this elite force is like. From the full day training session
to the physical training to the abuse virtually nothing gets held back.
Demi Moore is decent in her portrayal of Lt. Jordan O'Neil. She is definitely
back in peak form as she takes a different attitude from the way most people,
myself included, expected the role to go. Instead of being a poster child
for feminist rights in the military, Moore's character pushes for no special
treatment whatsoever. Lt. O'Neil makes it clear that she wants to go through
the program just as any of the men, with the same requirements made of
her as any of the men. Moore is convincing as a stand alone independent
and intelligent woman.
Unfortunately, the film takes a long time to develop and it runs a little
longer than I would have liked. Had it been trimmed down a little I think
it would have had an even bigger impact. The ending also is a little lacking
but otherwise this is a very good film. I would think that unlike Top
Gun's value as a recruiting film, this film won't be as successful
in enticing people to go after the Navy SEALS unless of course they are
as driven as some of the characters in this film.
Grade: B+
Parents Guide: This movie will have a variety of youngsters wanting to
see it. Unfortunately for most of them it is an R rated film, and it belongs
carrying that rating. The rating is for graphic and realistic violence
including a variety of abusive training techniques. Strong language is
present throughout as one might expect in a film dealing with military
life. There is also a large amount of sexual innuendo as well as some small
amounts of nudity. The rating is definitely a solid R and not even close
to bordering on PG-13. All of this does not, however, take away from the
fact that it is a solidly good film.