Stanley Kubrick's unflinching movie about the Vietnam War features one of the most dramatic opening hours in the history of cinema. Full Metal Jacket begins with a series of new military recruits being put through their paces by the horrifying Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, played by real-life drill instructor R Lee Ermey. The main subject of Hartman's aggressions is overweight recruit Leonard Lawrence, eventually nicknamed after bumbling sitcom character Gomer Pyle by Hartman. He is repeatedly victimised by Hartman, but after showing marksmanship, is able to get through his training despite showing increasing signs of mental instability. One night, he is discovered in the bathroom by a fellow trainee, loading his rifle and loudly reciting drill commands. When Hartman arrives to investigate the commotion, Pyle shoots him dead before turning the gun on himself. Private Pyle is the perfect example of a character driven insane by the continuing psychological effects of bullying. The climax of his story is a brutal sucker punch that closes the curtain on Full Metal Jacket's most satisfying chapter. Pyle doesn't get much benefit from standing up to his bully, but he certainly gets the ultimate revenge.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
