"Three Kings," which was released in 1999, provided an assessment of the Gulf War that was long over due. The film is even more interesting now, viewed through the present lens of the newer war in Iraq.
Written and directed by David O. Russell and produced by U.Va. alumnus Paul Junger Witt, "Three Kings" takes place immediately after the declaration of the ceasefire of the Gulf War. Four soldiers, Major Archie Gates (George Clooney), Sergeant Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg), Sergeant Chief Elgin (Ice Cube) and Private Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze) come across an Iraqi map of villages which they believe hold gold Saddam Hussein took from Kuwait.
The four are a disillusioned bunch, feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled by the war. Consequently, they go out looking for adventure and fortune -- Gates persuades them with, "leave at dawn, back before lunch," a line that is applicable for any war.
Gates, Barlow, Elgin and Vig leave on their mission in high sprits, setting out in their blasting Bach and the Beach Boys, their vehicle a lone speck in a vast landscape of sand. They locate the gold, but trouble arises when the resident Republican Guard begins to take aggressive steps toward the Iraqi civilians.
Here is where "Three Kings" is the most prophetic of the current situation in Iraq: The murkiness of the postwar world is evident with each day's front page of the newspaper. American soldiers are still being attacked by pockets of resistance, suicide bombers are attacking and killing those sent to rebuild Iraq and all the while Iraqi citizens struggle in the mire of a postwar country, in need of help.
The characters in the movie are confused by what they find. Thinking the war was over, they're surprised to find Iraqi soldiers fighting alongside Iraqi civilians. Though the war had been won in the hearts and minds of the Americans, the situation was much different for the Iraqis.
There is a tense stand off between the American soldiers and the Iraqi soldiers and between the Iraqi soldiers and the civilians. This is erupts into a gunfight -- a scene notable for its exemplary use of cinematography. Time slows as the camera tracks each gunshot, back and forth among the soldiers.
This is not the only moment of cinematographic innovation. At one point, Gates explains what happens when a person is shot, pointing his fingers at one of the troops. Following Gates' narrative into the body of the troop, the camera chronicles what happens internally as the bullet rips though organs and they fill with bile. Graphic, yes, but it is an original view of the effects of war.
After the gunfight, the Iraqi soldiers are somewhat subdued, but it is clear that the civilians will be killed once the Americans leave. Sacrificing their plan for any easy getaway, Gates decides to take the civilians, much to the dismay of Barlow. As they flee the village, the Iraqi soldiers attack and Barlow is taken prisoner.
A group of underground (literally) resistance members take the civilians and remaining American soldiers to safety, where one, Amir Adbullah (Cliff Curtis), persuades Gates that he can take them to the bunker where Barlow is being held if they give the civilians some of the gold and escort them to the Iranian border. Abdullah argues that Bush told the Iraqis to stand up to Saddam, but the U.S. is withdrawing its support and the Iraqis are being killed. Gates reluctantly agrees, his plan rapidly disintegrating.
As a prisoner, Barlow is tortured by an Iraqi officer Captain Said (Said Taghmaoui). After asking Barlow why the Americans got involved in the war, which the soldier says was to liberate Kuwait, Said forces Barlow to ingest oil -- what he sees as the real motivation.
Gates, Barlow, Elgin and Vig left their base camp confident about the post war Iraq and their chance at instant wealth. The day ends with them more aware that, although the war is formally over, battle lines and conflict still remain.
"Three Kings" is a visually impressive, well-acted, highly entertaining, sly and thought provoking film which no one should miss, particularly in light of its newer relevance.
4 stars
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