I've read all of the reviews for this movie, and I'm not convinced that any of them address its major theme: the triumph of individuality over conformity (although the Storyline alludes to this.)
Entering into the Marines, everyone is reduced to the status of "maggots." Everyone's hair is shorn. Everyone is reminded that they do not have their mothers' apron strings to clutch. Everyone is questioned as to the propriety of their sexual orientation, whether they are really men or something less than men. Everyone is reduced to their naked bodies standing in the showers, with their bars of soap, toothbrushes and towels. Everyone has the same buzz cut, the same cots, the same clothes, and their behavior scrutinized and reinforced from morning until evening, and again the following day. All of this is done to ensure conformity, obedience and willingness to fight in the name of country.
In the midst of this overt dehumanization, Adrian stands out, not as a rebellious spirit, but as a sensitive and intelligent thinking man. In one scene, Adrian asks his DI, "Sir, do we dig ditches in order to build up our morale and sense of pride?" To which the drill sergeant replies, "You do not need to know why I ask you to do anything. Simply the fact that I ask it should be sufficient for you to comply." That type of reply, it should be noted, is not persuasive to the sensitive man who can think for himself, as it appeals only to a spirit of authority, not reason.
Notwithstanding, Adrian excels in all of his activities as a Marine. He can run faster, fight better, endure more pain and suffering than anyone else in his outfit, and moreover he demonstrates a peace and strength that comes from his own spiritual convictions. He also helps those who are weaker than he is and he shows himself wiser than the men who are trying to instruct him.
And yet, despite the fact that he outwardly shows himself more than capable of everything the Marines throw at him, the senior drill instructor notices that Adrian's serene and peaceable spirit remains unbroken and undiminished. This observation becomes a sadistic blood-lust to the senior instructor, to break the man down and to destroy Adrian's sense of individuality at all costs, even to the point of having him repeat basic training all over again until he conforms to the Marine ideal of the "unthinking obedient killing machine."
At the end of the movie, Adrian has to decide to which "tribe" he will give his ultimate allegiance. His immediate drill instructor tries to give him his best advice, but of course, he has to do so while remaining loyal to the Corp himself. In the end, who is more loyal to his ideals, Adrian or his instructor?
I found this movie to be a favorite of mine, embodying the "hero" (or "antihero") theme of retaining one's essential identity in the midst of outside demoralizing and dehumanizing influences. In my opinion, the movie is as instructive and inspiring as it is entertaining!
Entering into the Marines, everyone is reduced to the status of "maggots." Everyone's hair is shorn. Everyone is reminded that they do not have their mothers' apron strings to clutch. Everyone is questioned as to the propriety of their sexual orientation, whether they are really men or something less than men. Everyone is reduced to their naked bodies standing in the showers, with their bars of soap, toothbrushes and towels. Everyone has the same buzz cut, the same cots, the same clothes, and their behavior scrutinized and reinforced from morning until evening, and again the following day. All of this is done to ensure conformity, obedience and willingness to fight in the name of country.
In the midst of this overt dehumanization, Adrian stands out, not as a rebellious spirit, but as a sensitive and intelligent thinking man. In one scene, Adrian asks his DI, "Sir, do we dig ditches in order to build up our morale and sense of pride?" To which the drill sergeant replies, "You do not need to know why I ask you to do anything. Simply the fact that I ask it should be sufficient for you to comply." That type of reply, it should be noted, is not persuasive to the sensitive man who can think for himself, as it appeals only to a spirit of authority, not reason.
Notwithstanding, Adrian excels in all of his activities as a Marine. He can run faster, fight better, endure more pain and suffering than anyone else in his outfit, and moreover he demonstrates a peace and strength that comes from his own spiritual convictions. He also helps those who are weaker than he is and he shows himself wiser than the men who are trying to instruct him.
And yet, despite the fact that he outwardly shows himself more than capable of everything the Marines throw at him, the senior drill instructor notices that Adrian's serene and peaceable spirit remains unbroken and undiminished. This observation becomes a sadistic blood-lust to the senior instructor, to break the man down and to destroy Adrian's sense of individuality at all costs, even to the point of having him repeat basic training all over again until he conforms to the Marine ideal of the "unthinking obedient killing machine."
At the end of the movie, Adrian has to decide to which "tribe" he will give his ultimate allegiance. His immediate drill instructor tries to give him his best advice, but of course, he has to do so while remaining loyal to the Corp himself. In the end, who is more loyal to his ideals, Adrian or his instructor?
I found this movie to be a favorite of mine, embodying the "hero" (or "antihero") theme of retaining one's essential identity in the midst of outside demoralizing and dehumanizing influences. In my opinion, the movie is as instructive and inspiring as it is entertaining!