Lions for Lambs

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Lions for Lambs

49% Liked It
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Lions for Lambs

Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Derek Luke, Michael Pena, Andrew Garfield

Injuries sustained by two Army ranger behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman (Cruise), a journalist (Streep) and a professor (Redford).

Id: 11055209

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Lions for Lambs Recent Reviews
  • SarahG1988
    March 27, 2009
    SarahG1988
    Injuries sustained by two Army ranger behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman, a journalist and a professor

    Lions for Lambs was released in a year full of Iraq or war-related films and isn't one of the best of that year. I ...( read more)have to admit that I wonder just exactly what Redford is trying to say in this film and this is wil try to focus on, as well as the film's flaws and good parts.

    Prior to watching this film, I had no idea as to how I would feel about this film-so I went into it with a relativly open mind. What's interesting though, is that the film starts off resonably well and gets progressivly worse as the film goes on. The main flaw, and a big one at that, is the content within the film. As mentioned by many reviews by my friends on this site; this film is incredibly prechy. As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I wonder just exactly what Redford is really trying to tell us. Is it just full of his political ideas? Argbably that could be the case. However I think it's not only a fault of his but the script is a major problem and perhaps research that was carried out.

    I wonder exactly why Redford thought this film was the right way to go. The problem with it is that it tells us nothing new about events up to and surrounding the Iraq war. Like I said before, it preches to us things we've heard time and time again about the war, by news stations and newspapers. I started to feel very irritated and insulted towards the middle of the film. This is because you feel as though Redford feels that the audience watching this have no concept of what this war is about. Thus, by the end of the film you feel as though you've been lectured to by one of your parents or teacher.

    One review that I read said this film was "politics for dummies" and I think he's probably right. Much of the dialogue in this film is very obvious and uncessary. Yes, we know that the war in Iraq shouldn't have happened and Yes we know the consequences of war. I struggle to understand some of the sub-plots in this film. What was the purpse of the professor and the student and why exactly does Meryal Streep's character need to be there. Some of those unanswered questions means the films loses "the flow" that every film needs. By that I mean that a perfect film needs to be consistently great through every scene and every scene needs purpse. Lions for Lambs does not have that.

    I really feel for Meryl Streep in this film as she is the only good part of it. Her character is very likeable and represents the masses in some respects. However the material given to her means we don't see the full extent of her capabilities in this role. Tom Cruise, I found very very irritating and found his character to be way to patrirchal for my liking.

    Overall, Lions for Lambs fails to impress on all levels and I don't recomend it.

    Watch Taxi to The Dark Side...to see a true portrayal of the Iraq War
  • DerekA101
    July 16, 2008
    DerekA101
    Lions for Lambs, as it's title suggests, is a provocative film based on the harsh reality of the Iraq War. The film follows three incredibly moving story lines. This movie aims to impress with its very sharp and witty dialogue. This is not a movie for teenagers or action junki...( read more)es. It is a political thriller, so some interest in politics and current events is needed to fully understand and associate with this film.

    However, I still can't help but to think this movie falls flat. I enjoyed the questions this movie tackles and I love how it makes you think on your own. But I left this movie feeling empty. This film lacks a lot of substance. The heart-breaking climax was off target in my opinion, I found it to be more unfortunate than "sad."

    So much more could've been done with this film. However, it does have a good message and is a must for those of us who have been captivated by the War on Terrorism since 2001. But, at the end of the day, this movie is completely forgettable.
  • StaisilD
    July 11, 2008
    StaisilD
    Lions for Lambs is the latest in a series of films that have crashed and burned at the box office indicating American filmgoers' lack of appetite for movies dealing with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and while it is ultimately filled with words that don't speak as loudly as so...( read more)me of the film's bursts of action, it's filled with tremendous turns by its stellar cast. Tom Cruise picks up where his character in Magnolia left off as a handsome, polished and arrogant GOP senator who wields his charisma like a weapon in his near film-long interview with journalist Meryl Streep whom he invites to share his new risky strategy for the war in Afghanistan. Meanwhile we?re introduced to a privileged, brainy and apathetic college student called to the office of liberal professor Robert Redford to try and engage the young man whose formerly spirited debates marked him as a scholar to watch. Redford tells the student of the last two young men who'd inspired him who attended the university on a scholarship only to volunteer for military duty in Afghanistan. The flashbacks of Michael Pena and Derek Luke as two forthright and heroic young men mark the high points of the film and tensely effective editing is employed as the talk is intercut with the plight of the two students now soldiers being affected by all of the new strategies and issues discussed in the comfort of air-conditioned rooms in America as they fight in the Middle East. Redford's character had us believing that a slight difference could be made by concerned citizens but still, in the end, the two endearing characters we find ourselves most inspired by are not the academic, politician or writer but two young soldiers who take action because they feel they have been failed by words. "Lambs" isn't beholden to Van Damme theatrics and procedural humdrum. It's a more modestly constructed piece, leading with long, curled ribbons of dialogue, preferring verbal gunfire to the real thing. Cruise is careful not to turn Irving into a total baboon. The actor plays the role with slyness and unraveling patience. Lions for Lambs wasn't based on a true story but it is about the very real situation this country is in. Lions for Lambs is a very good, powerful movie that raises some interesting questions. It makes you think and deserves to be seen.
  • kiriyamakazou
    June 21, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    This is not a film. It is a speech. Plain and simple it is endless talking about the war on terror. Some kind of a feeble plot has been inserted around the preaching (it isn't dialogue). The actors do great and they bloody want to having to take up every last second with their "a...( read more)cting". Why not make a documentary? Or just a public speech if this is how you feel. By the end the talking turns to whining and just "Blah Blah Blah". Luckily it is a merciful 80 odd minutes. It's been there, done that, heard it all before cinema with an extra coat of gloss.
  • katharinec
    May 19, 2008
    katharinec
    Ehhh....
  • GetToKnowMe121
    December 3, 2009
    GetToKnowMe121
    Definately a very thought provoking political movie. Told as one moment in time (an hour and a half) experienced by three different groups of people, the media, the government, and a professor and his students. Three stories all revolving around the war, and how we deal (or don...( read more)'t deal) with it differently. I found it very interesting, though it seemed like something (can't put my finger on it) was missing.
  • siewmaywah
    November 30, 2009
    siewmaywah
    The most intelligent film about the war yet. Though some may complain that "Lions for Lambs" is all words, I say, "Yes, isn't that wonderful?"
  • jos7as
    November 11, 2009
    jos7as
    Condenar a uno para salvar a miles, el retrato de las acciones dudosas que el gobierno de los estados unidos hace bajo el agua. Bastante reveladora e impactante en cuanto al cinismo e ipocrecia que manejan ciertos personajes representantes del gobierno
  • sneakypetegb
    October 11, 2009
    sneakypetegb
    Well, while I generally hold Redford in high regard, I don't think this was one of his more thoughtful efforts, and I'm a bit surprised to find Streep involved. Cruise's role was just out in left field; that's simply not the way it works so another surprise when it came through.
  • SC007
    October 4, 2009
    SC007
    A really great film. This film should have done better at the box office. Also, it should have been nominated for Oscars. Robert Redford does a super job directing this film. I was surprised by the short running time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. I would have loved more, even 30 more...( read more) minutes to it. The editing of the film is dead on solid and exciting at times. The performances are all top notch including Redford, Cruise, Streep, Pena, and Luke. I definitely recommend this film.
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