So much of this movie falls into the category of women seeking equality. On her first day as a trainee seal, Moore has to fight to be treated as meanly as the men. Hence the great scene where she shaves her own head and then moves into the menıs dorm.

Thereıs a political subplot to Mooreıs desire to become a seal. Indeed, it wasnıt her idea, but rather the manouevering of a Texan senator played brilliantly by Anne Bancroft. Bancroft sports the best southern accent heard from the big screen in many years, but her motivation is a little less sweet. She is wrapped in political intrigue, which is never explained.

Forget the political agenda, this is a movie for Demi Moore. This is the role is made for her. She has guts galore and theyıre all over this movie. Ridley Scott directs G.I. Jane, and the combination of Scott and Moore is potent.

Scott avoids falling into the trap of oggling Mooreıs body. There are very few shots that just focus on her body for the sake of it. Instead, Mooreıs gritty acting style is allowed to shine.

Ridley tries to be impartial in this movie, looking at both sides of the coin. As a trainee seal, Moore and her buddies have to deal with the Master Chief--the man responsible for weeding out those who cannot survive the rigor of the training. Viggo Mortensen plays the Master Chief, and he is the obvious target to be considered a villain. In the climax of the movie, Viggo and Demi face each other in mock battle. Lest I spoil the story, I wonıt go into detail. But this scene is crucial to the film, dealing with the role of women in battle.

The timing of the movie is interesting. Firstly, G.I. Jane is concerned with the issue of women in combat, just as Virginia Military Institute has been forced to change its 158 year all male tradition by accepting women for the first time. Local television stations are broadcasting live from VMI as the women face the rat line.

Reality aside, the movie G.I. Jane is gritty, interesting, and well worth viewing.