Lions for
Lambs is a picture that asks the question: “How do we live a just and
fulfilling life?" Two misfortunate California college students join the
army on a mission to find meaning in their lives. The movie is split into two
separate dialogues: one with a senator and seasoned reporter, another with the
soldier’s old professor and an idealistic, inexperienced student. Lions for
Lambs is able to cover many American opinions in our knotty political system
while simultaneously telling a rather omnipresent story through the eyes of our
government, media, military, and education system.
Although the film has big name
actors including Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise, there is no real storyline. In
the movie, the War on Terror is exhaustively debated through a series of
speeches, however falls flat when there is nothing deeper than sixty minutes of
debating with provocative metaphors filling space between scenes. In a film, a
series of debate topics is not enough to compel an audience, even with an
A-list cast.
Regardless of the lack of
storyline, if nothing else, Lions for Lambs is a sure way to see many questions
raised about the politics in America. For someone who is trying to learn about
the War on Terror, I would recommend the film. However, to others, the movie
may seem nothing more than a summary of facts.
Interesting take. I didn't think it fact-laden but, yes, it's talky.
ReplyDeleteDr. Stiltner, it seemed to me that the film showed a summary of facts through the eyes of different groups (i.e. government, P.R., educators, students). To someone that is set in their beliefs, the film seems like it may be too, as you put it, talky. However, I was compelled by the way the film was able to put so many American political beliefs into a short hour. If not a summary of facts, maybe a summary of opinions.
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