G.I. Jane is My Hero (I Need A Hero Write-Off Entry)

As I was driving yesterday, I thought about Talyseon's I Need A Hero Write-Off http://www.epinions.com/content_5298495620, and the movie G.I. Jane (1997) came to mind.  I am sure that some people consider this movie to be a bunch of over dramatized women's lib fluff, but G.I. Jane has always been a favourite of mine.  I was an Officer in the Canadian Navy, and I know the pressures that women can face when physically and psychologically competing with men.  I've never backed down from anything due to any man and I don't ever intend to either.  So, I thought that G.I. Jane was fitting for my entry to the write-off.

Lt. Jordan O'Neil (Demi Moore) is an Officer in the U.S. Navy and she has been chosen as a Guinea Pig for a Texas Senator, Lillian De Haven, (Anne Bancroft).  She is set out to prove that women can make it in the intense, rigorous and merely impossible course of training for the U.S. Navy Seals.  Lt. O'Neil  takes on the challenge even though she realizes that she is in for the trial of her life.

At first, the biggest obstacle Lt. O'Neil faces is egotistical Master Chief John James Urgayle. (Viggo Mortensen)  She was given special status as a woman by him and she complains that she wants to make it and be treated just as the men are.  Eventually Lt. O'Neil shaves her head bald and sleeps in the men's barracks, and she does not accept extra 'help' or 'more time' given to women doing the same exercise that men do.

We see the horrible, rigorous ordeal of hell week that all of the Seals must go through to pass.  The physical demands are too much for many of the men, and they choose to quit their training.  Lt. O'Neil sticks it out even though she is constantly berated by her fellow male officers.  When it's time for S.E.R.E Training, which is where the Seal Candidates go to an island and follow a task, Lt. O'Neill is treated absolutely brutally by the Master Chief.  His point is that in real combat or real life situations, Lt. O'Neil will be completely incapable of strength and will lack 'good soldier' abilities.

Meanwhile, back in Texas, we find out that Senator Lillian DeHaven isn't exactly the most honest representative.  It turns out that the strong, female Senator doesn't really want to have her cake and eat it too.  Lt. O'Neil must struggle with the lies she was told on top of her Seal training.

G.I. Jane is an excellent film.  Demi Moore's body is so fit and perfect for this movie, it's almost unbelievable.  I admire her so much for working her body to be toned and defined for this role.  Moore also 'really' shaved her head for this film which was an amazing scene.  I was shocked to read that she received a 'Razzie Award' for the Worst Female Actress for this movie.  I thought she was awesome.

Viggo Mortensen and Demi Moore had really amazing chemistry.  At the end of the movie, Master Chief recognizes Lt. O'Neil's bravery and it is a very touching scene.  It almost makes up for all of the sickening abuse she received from him and the other men.  But, not quite.

The exercises and torture the Seals went through brought me back to my 'bootcamp.'  Although mine wasn't nearly as barbarous and callous as that of the Navy Seals, I certainly found myself feeling desolate and almost desperate at the time.  The scenes depicting the Officers in intense physical activity were extremely interesting in my opinion.  It gave me new respect for the United States Navy.

Lt. Jordan O'Neil's story was fascinating and it was about a woman's struggle for equality, as well as her brave determination on succeeding where no woman had before.  In this respect, I give the movie two thumbs up, 5 stars, and an entry in Talyseon's I Need A Hero Write-Off.

5 Stars