MOVIE SHOWS WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE MESS WE'RE IN
Written: Nov 12 '07 (Updated Nov 13 '07)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Excellent acting, writing and direction
Cons: A little slow in spots
The Bottom Line: This is a contemplative look at why our country is in the Mideast mess.
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| mike.holmes's Full Review: Lions for Lambs |
"Lions For Lambs" is not a typical "war" movie. Oh, there are some graphic and meaningful war scenes but those scenes cover only about one-third of the film. Instead, the movie is a contemplative look at those who have caused our country to be in such a foreign policy quagmire in the Middle East.
As is typical of any film that concerns the war in Iraq or Afghanistan lately, the movie did not do all that well in the box office this past weekend. It no longer seems to matter whether or not a film's quality is above average or even that there are major stars in the movie. As long as the movie concerns the Middle East, the box office is weak. "Rendition", "In the Valley of Elah", and "The Kingdom" attracted some viewers but they were relative failures compared to blockbuster films such as "American Gangster", "Bee Movie" (both excellent films) and such thrillers as "Saw IV" (ugh!) and "The Game Plan."
Why do I go on about this? It seems that the American public is sick and tired of the war in Iraq and anything that reminds them of that collosal error. "Lions For Lambs", in my humble opinion does an excellent job of presenting several views of U.S. policy in the Middle East. It gives no definitive answers but let's the viewer decide.
THE PLOT
There are actually three simultaneous stories going on in the film. The first revolves around U.S. Senator Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise-"Magnolia", "Jerry Maguire", "Rainman") granting an "exclusive" interview with a network reporter, Janine Roth (Meryl Streep-"Sophie's Choice", "Kramer v. Kramer") about still another "new" plan to "win" the war in Afghanistan.
The second story concerns another interview. This interview is between college professor Stephen Malley (Robert Redford-"The Sting", "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid") and a talented, but unmotivated student, Todd Hayes (Andrew Garfield). Professor Malley is trying to get Hayes off of his butt in order to realize his promise. By implication, this interview indirectly places the blame for the war on the apathy of not only young people and their elders.
The third tale concerns the implementation of the "new" plan in Afghanistan as seen primarily through the eyes of two young special force members, Ernest Rodriguez (Michael Pena-"World Trade Center", "Crash") and Arian Finch (Derek Luke-"Antwone Fisher" and "Friday Night Lights"). These young men are to be thrust onto a mountaintop in Afghanistan along with their platoon in order to maintain a "high ground" superiority in the country. Both Finch and Rodriguez also happened to be students of Professor Malley who tried to talk them out of joining the military but is proud of them.
While all three of the stories are inter-related, there is very little overlap amongst them. All three scenario's are given equal importance in the film.
WHY I LIKED THE MOVIE
Director Redford ("The Horse Whisperer", "Quiz Show", and "A River Runs Through It", "Ordinary People") has again produced a film that makes you think. Along with the screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan ("The Kingdom", "Smokin' Aces"), there are no definitive answers given in the film. Cruises Republican Senator character is charming, intelligent and very persuasive.
Streep's journalist is thorough, skeptical, and confused about the media's role in U.S. policy.
Profeessor Malley and his student verbally spar about the role of the young people in the country today, again without really making any judgments.
In a way, the heart of the film belongs to the two young soldiers who have put themselves in harm's way. They are both intelligent, brave human beings who want to make a difference.
All of the major characters do an excellent job of acting in the film as would be expected of such a stellar cast.
Although no definite answers are given in the movie, there is a strong message that both the government and the media have caused most of the mess in the Mideast. The government, through leadership which really never understood war and the media which acted like cheerleaders for the invasion of a country that was not a threat to the U.S. (Iraq) are presented in equal bad light.
The music of Mark Isham ("Crash", "Blade", "A River Runs Through It") is compelling, especially in the war scenes. Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot ("A River Runs Through It") presents the contrasting scenes with a careful eye to detail. The war scenes are graphic and believable and the office "interviews" are quietly moving.
Ultimately, I believe the strongest line in the film is related to the title. Professor Malley quotes a line about View Nam in which it was pointed out that "Never have such Lions (the soldiers) been led by such "Lambs" (the politicians).
While the film is not very long (128 minutes), it is a powerful description of what is wrong with our policy in the Mideast and who is to blame. That blame must be shared by many. It's a shame that a few have suffered so much for the gutless Lambs.
Four stars
P.S. In an eerie case of Life imitating Art, the first story on ABC News tonight was about the war in Afghanistan. Vivid scenes were shown of U.S. soldiers being ambushed.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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mike.holmes
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Member: Mike Holmes
Location: Odessa, Texas
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TO HONOR TED KENNEDY, CONGRESS SHOULD PASS A MEANINGFUL HEALTH CARE BILL
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