MP contributor April Snellings was mightily impressed by The Hurt Locker, declaring "If any movie this summer has earned a must-see label, this is it." On Tuesday, there was a special screening of the Iraq War bomb-squad film at the Regal Downtown West theater, with two of its stars in attendance, so we decided to send April to check it out. Here's her report:
After promising not to burn my bra or slide my daisy into anyone's gun barrel, I was invited to represent your favorite "isn't that a liberal paper?" alt-weekly at a special VIP screening of The Hurt Locker, sponsored by Lenoir City-based EOD Technology, Inc. Besides offering a chance to see the movie again for free, dorky movie chick bait in the form of Jeremy Renner and Brian Geraghty - two of the film's stars - was dangled in front of me, therefore assuring my attendance.
If you're unfamiliar with EODT, a recent press release identified the company as "specializing in munitions response and security support for the U.S. military..." They do some pretty hardcore stuff, as evidenced by the Glock-toting guys who filled a theater at Downtown West Tuesday night to watch Kathryn Bigelow's acclaimed Iraq war blow-'em-up.
Several thousand of the company's contractors have worked in Iraq since the start of the war; several have been killed. Also present at the screening, and lending a decidedly more somber air, was a representative from the Washington D.C.-based organization Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a group that offers support and assistance to anyone grieving the death of a loved one who served in the Armed Forces.
It was a surreal evening, to say the least, with a definite "Johnny get your gun" vibe. The theater's lobby quickly filled up with folks hoping to rub elbows with Renner, who seems to be on the fast track to becoming A Really Big Deal (during our talk, he confirmed that he is, indeed, gunning for the lead in George Miller's upcoming Mad Max redux).
Geraghty, it turns out, is the one who got TAPS involved with the film in the first place; he's worked with the group for a while now, mentoring military children who have lost a parent. Both actors were gracious, charming, accessible and attentive. They were also sincere; both have traveled the country to attend similar screenings, and have become involved in other TAPS activities.
While local TV stations were embarrassing themselves over Renner, I went about embarrassing myself over Geraghty. The up-and-coming young actor was eager to talk about his role in The Hurt Locker, and his tremendous respect for the military personnel and contractors working in Iraq.
Then it was time for a trade; I offered the TV people a Brian Geraghty, and received one slightly used Jeremy Renner in exchange. I was determined not to be charmed silly. I failed miserably. Mercifully, the interview ended before I asked him to take me to the prom.
I fear there was eyelash-batting.
After a stop at the free candy table (thanks, EODT!), I popped into the theater just in time for the pre-movie national anthem. There was a brief moment of panic - is it hand-over-heart for the anthem, or is that just for the pledge? - but I decided one can never go wrong by simply doing what the guy in front of you is doing, especially if said guy has a really big handgun strapped to his hip.
No worries, fellow film dorks - they moved the big ol' flag from its position in front of the screen before the movie started. As for the screening itself, well, the armed dude in front of me talked a bit, but I decided to let it slide.
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