My Review of Lions for Lambs
What is Lions for Lambs about?
This puzzle of a movie is broken up into three pieces. One of the pieces, the strongest in my opinion has a journalist by the name of Janine Roth (Streep) interviewing the smug Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise). Jasper is trying to earn the government more respect, more Americans behind the war on terror. He has a new plan to attack and defeat the terrorists. This leads us to the second, most weak piece of this movie puzzle.
Ernest Rodriguez (Michael Pena) and his comrade in arms, Arian Finch (Derek Luke) are part of this plan. The assault backfires. Troops are lost. Luckily enough, Rodriguez and Finch fall from the helicopter, and live at least a few more hours. One is stuck, the other is broken. If our rescue team doesn't get there fast, they will be swamped by terrorist troops. Both of these men attended the classes of Professor Stephen Malley (Redford). In one of his classes, Rodriguez and Finch proudly declare that they are going over to fight the war on terror. This brings us to the third, most preachy part of this film seminar.
Malley is trying to teach another one of his students, Todd Hayes (Andrew Garfield) to respect and trust in his own strengths, get him to start attending class and "debate" the political movement on terror. If it wasn't for Redford's compelling performance in these scenes, I imagine this piece of Lions for Lambs would be the weakest. His Malley is passion, caring, perhaps even a little manipulative. Garfield's annoying Hayes never seems to be the kind of person to listen to someone so much older. He's too cocky. He's actually rather errogant. This makes their debate seem tiresome.
Final thoughts
Not really something I would recommend going to the theater for. If you want to hear a movie preach politics, wait for Lions to be released on DVD. Sure, they are fine actors, but this is definitely not the finest movie to spend 5 to 10 dollars on.
Published by Luke M.
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7 Comments
Post a CommentThanks for the heads up, Luke!
Affirms what I've heard. No go for me.
You definitely helped make my decision. I'd read a few mixed reviews. Strong cast but I haven't read any solid recommendations for this one, at least not for watching at the movie theatre, which is no longer an inexpensive activity (as you pointed out).
Excellent review!
:>)
Thanks for the review!!
I'll also pass on this one. It doesn't sound like my kind of movie. Great review!
I think I'll pass on this one. Thanks.