Leandra- a soldier life in The Jacket

Leandra Jacobson
2/23/09

I find the toils of a soldier to be of importance in the film The Jacket. Soldiers can live an unappreciated day to day life, not thanked for the service they provide for the country. The returns in this lifestyle are not greater than what could potentially be given, a large sacrifice for a human. Jack almost gave his life for his country while away at war, injured and suffering from various mental problems. In his return from deployment, he crossed paths with citizens in need. As a good soldier would, he stopped to help the little girl Jackie and her mother fix their car. He was turned away angrily by the mother, receiving no appreciation for his work as soldiers can be ungraciously received. Not only does he risk his life and eventually his freedom, he has to walk away from the situation completely removed of his concern for the girl’s safety. In this, a soldier has to exist in a detached state in order to transcend above the horrors they have to experience.
His Good Samaritan act is returned by future-Jackie, a historical throwback to a soldiering life. In revolutionary America, homes would be made housing quarters for soldiers. This hospitality, although sometimes unwarranted, is part of American history. When soldiers returned home from Vietnam, they were not held as heroes. This is similarly seen with the soldiers returning at this present time from the War on Iraq. What has changed in America? Do you believe that there was also a message in this film concerning the role of a soldier, since it was the foundation of his character and the reason for the suspicion blackouts?