Lions for Lambs: The movie review

Movie synopsis, courtesy of Golden Village

"Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise star in LIONS FOR LAMBS, a powerful and gripping story that digs behind the news, the politics and a nation divided to explore the human consequences of a complicated war. Directed by Academy Award winner Robert Redford, the story begins after two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian (DEREK LUKE) and Ernest (MICHAEL PENA), follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley (REDFORD), and attempt to do something important with their lives.

But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America.

In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student (ANDREW GARFIELD) who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving (CRUISE), is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist (STREEP) that may affect Arian and Ernest's fates. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on each other and the world."

A very interesting show indeed. The first time ever that i was invited to see a movie that has so much controvery and drama. A real show i must say, totally intellectual and stimulating to the mind. A feed for our brain! And i watched it with a cool guy, smart and funny in his own way. I would have never even dreamt of going to such a movie, if it is not for him! Haha.. well, tastes change overtime, don't they? So do mine.. in my choice of frens, men and movies!

And my dear friend, Mr Sarcasma, wrote a review about the show in his blog... and i think it is worthy enough to have it in mine, as a movie guide to all my readers. Use it at your own discretion, when you are deciding on what to watch the next time you pay a visit to the cinema! ;)

Reviews by - The Sarcasma-cum-writer:

"First let's deal with the expectations.

Looking at the cast, you might think it's another Tom Cruise vehicle. A blockbuster? Nope. It's not one of those Tom Cruise-doin-another-OTT-role movie. In fact, Cruise sux in dis one. He's probably in here to help sell tickets.

Meryl Streep. A thespian. Worth watching her subdued, rather nuanced performance tho by no means did the script stretch her abilities.

Robert Redford. The actor still looks dashing in his signature blue shirt but as a film maker, you know he strives to put a message in his movies. For some of you out there, this movie will probably go way over your heads. In fact, there was plenty of head-scratching and fidgeting in the theatre we were in. Catch-no-ball syndrome? Haha. Perhaps.

But if you're familiar with the American psyche post 9-11, or a student of US geopolitics, you'd find alot to chew on in here. It's not all high brow stuff. The debate between the college kid n his professor is nothing short of thought-provoking. It brings forth the dilemma of our youth generation: How involved r u gg to be when the future of ur nation is at stake? The decision you make when u r at the cusp of adulthood is one with the greatest potential to determine if u end up as one of the GREATS or juz another unknown among the masses of the MEDIOCRE.

OVERALL RATING: * * * *

Not everyone's cup of tea but if you do decide to watch it, don't forget: BYB (Bring Your Brain) "

Our exchanges of comments on the movie:

Mel: The movie is either a snooze or a feast for ur brain.Stimulating show indeed..mm.. Luf how Meryl Streep's role represents the unheard voices of d other fellow Americans/ even the world! Just prove to show how greedy and shallow the US Govt can b.Worldly domination vs 3rd world salvation? Or is it just another conquest to feed their male ego n d attainment of universal supremacy!

Mr Sarcasm: Yeah, the man in th aircon rm sends impressionable kids to a war they hv no biz to be in, juz so he can look gd n hv a better shot at running for Presidency. The US systm of govt is f*kd up indeed..

Mel: The US govt is the "brains" behind all conquests(We all know how theories work well in real life n death situations). Get these kids to do d dirty work..Waste the taxpayers money on propaganda, PR and really empty promises to these children. Fight for your country,eradicate the enemies, or so they claim.And who defines the enemies? The government? Pointing their fingers to nations they see as threats, as opportunities! Killing people for people!


Mr Sarcasma: Dats true. A case of history repeating itslf? After Vietnam, who wd hv thought Iraq wd b da nxt casualty? They nvr learn frm history do they? Not if it gets in da way of satisfying their GREED i suppose...

Mel:Like what Meryl said,why look into the future, and bother to change it, if you do not want to learn from the past? What the past holds can be of great significance in your efforts to mould a better tomorrow.. some people just dnt get it!

With that, i leave the decision to you. And Robert Redford is indeed a good director in this one.. at least i thought so! ;)