Lions for Lambs

Every day our soldiers are putting themselves in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. "They volunteered," you say, "so what?" Or "I am just one person.." Or like most, you rarely even think about them. Period. So why go pay good money to see a movie that will offer you a chance to think about the days since September 11, our society's reaction to it, how the press and the politicians and we the people reacted. And where do we go from here, what are we risking.

Or just go see a mindless movie, why don't you.

This film is one of the most important of our time in that it powerfully presents recent history with plentiful opportunity for the audience to think about our way of life and our impact on the world.

Most importantly, it gives us a chance to think about what we as individuals can do now--- for the troops, for our country, our world, ourselves and our fellow citizens.

Cruise' portrays an up and coming Senator in a powerful, convincing performance. Mr. Top Gun as veteran Republican Senator with the no nonsense don't even try to think about it for us or against us mentality so evident in politics and some areas of the media. Streep gives the baby boomers chills in her performance as the experienced journalist who has it all from Vietnam to what may be today the lead up to and invasion of Iran. Redford, of the same generation, is quite believable college prof trying to encourage one more promising young student to go beyond just thinking of money and the good life.

Redford's previous students from the hood, one black, one hispanic are flashed back and forth from his class to a special opp in Afghanistan...

It is hard to describe how real the action feels, and how much empathy one feels for these young actors.. Academy Award material?

Lion for lambs is a look from different perspectives about the war in Iraq. From the media, military and the government, all the characters are trying to improve the crurrent situations America is in. The movie is really carried by a very thought provoking script and diologe that was like watching a debate bewteen the characters. With the format of the film being converstional,it seems like it would make a great transition to theater. As a film, this was a weakness for it. The writing was great and was well delivered from the actors, but failed to keep the audiences attention in a movie theater. However, for a political film, it was never preachy, and allowed the audience to think for themselves; which the movie wanted us to reguarding the war.