‘G.I. Jesus,’ worthwhile vet tale, back in theaters

“G.I. Jesus,” about a young man who enlists in the Marines for a tour of duty in Iraq in exchange for U.S. citizenship for him, his wife and daughter, returns to theaters today after a brief limited run in January.

Back in Los Angeles but facing the possibility of redeployment, Mexican-born Jesus (Joe Arquette) is plagued by doubt and wonders whether he got a bum deal. Director and co-writer Carl Colpaert avoids the traumatized vet cliches and conveys the young man’s inner turmoil in imaginative and unsettling ways. Although the movie wears its politics on its sleeve and the staging and performances are uneven, it adds a worthwhile voice to the debate.

Condensed from a longer review published Jan. 26.

“G.I. Jesus.” MPAA rating: R for language, some sexuality, nudity and violence. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. Exclusively at Laemmle’s Monica 4-plex, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, (310) 394-9741; Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., L.A., (323) 848-3500.