Lions for Lambs
In theaters November 9th 2007
Some war violence and language
Run Time: 88 min
Matt's rating - 4.5
Cindy's rating - 4.5
==========================================
Review by Matt Mungle
2007 Mungleshow Productions
Films like Lions for Lambs make writing a
review a
slippery slope. If I praise the film I am
assumed to
praise the message. If I slam it I must be
defiant to its
cause. But that is not the case. If I
appreciate Silence
of the Lambs it does not mean I am on board with
eating my neighbor's liver with some fava
beans and
a nice Chianti. Maybe I like it because of
the writing
and the superb acting. If I despise a film
like Radio it
doesn't mean that I am against the
advancement of
the mentally challenged. It just means it was
terribly
hokey and manipulative in its sappiness. I
could care
less what your message is saying if you can't
make a
film worth watching. So now that we are
clear, let us
begin.
Lions for Lambs parades its actors across the
credits
like a military intimidation tactic. Redford,
Cruise,
Streep. The big guns. Redford not only acts
in but
directs this story told within three stories.
The plot
revolves around a military maneuver taking
place in
the war against terror and how it affects the
lives of
different individuals. You see the main event
unfold as
the 6 central characters discuss, react and
defend the
war we are currently in. Janine Roth (Meryl
Streep) is
the seasoned news journalist discussing this
exclusive new military strategy with a top
senator (Tom
Cruise). All the while the event is being
carried out by
two young military men (Derek Luke and Michael
PeŇa) fighting to better their country. A
Political
Science professor (Robert Redford) is
discussing the
cause and effects of our own personal actions
with a
talented student (Andrew Garfield) who is
tired of the
current politics. Each story line weaves the
tapestry
for the movie as a whole.
The writing is brilliant and brought to life
flawlessly by
its three main deliverers. Streep as always
exceeds
expectations. She can make the smallest movement
in a scene become relevant and character
developing.
No attention to detail is left out and it is
done so
seamlessly that it is no longer acting but
personified
real life. She is not performing, but being.
And it must
be said that the writing does produce
thought. You
can't walk out of this film without thinking
about where
we are in our country. Agree or disagree with
the
message. But you will have to form an opinion
regardless. The message becomes a character. You
either love it or hate it. But you can't
avoid it. You can't
put it aside. You have to engage it.
What impressed me about this film too was the
fact
that it didn't take 3 hours to say what it
had to say. It
didn't try to impress me with a lot of pompous
regurgitation like some know it all windbag
who just
won't shut up. It stood there, stated its
case and sat
back down. Many films could take a lesson in
this.
Writers and directors these days think that
we should
be honored to be in the presence of their
feats of
greatness for hours at a time. (My reviews
excluded of
course) When in fact we just want a good
film. My
thoughts, if you can't do it in 90 you
probably can't do it
in 120 either.
Lions for Lambs is Rated R for some war violence
and language. Again, if you want to see a
well done
film with superb acting then this is your
baby. But if you
can't check your political views at the box
office, be
ready to get emotional. Some will cheer its
charge
while others will snarl at its
sensationalism. I admit I
am becoming a little tired of the endless
stream of
political war pieces of late. I am well aware
that we are
in a crises and I have the talking bobble
heads on TV
constantly reminding me of both sides. But
again I am
here to critique the film, not the war or
those in control
of it. Therefore, I give it 4.5 out of 5
stars and stripes.
And God bless the USA.
============================================================
Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas
Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional
reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
==========================================
==================
Need a good laugh?
Look for Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The Deuce in retail and online!
|
Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
|
|
