Like a theatre piece - simple old fashioned play based primarily around two conversations.
I didn't care much for this film - i can't find reason to dislike it. If you haven't had these conversations with others or yourself (depending on your take on such activities - persoanlly all in favour) then you probably won't be interested and if you have well here they are again but performed by famous people pretending to be in important positions. Yep more important than your favourite pub stool where such weighty discussions are customarily had..
Very interesting and impacting movie-non stop debating!! The acting is believable and the script is genius. At first I was a little perturbed by the abrupt ending, but it made me realize that it's an invitation for the audience to decide which side they support. I highly recommend this movie - particularly to debaters. :P
one of those movies told from three different vantage points, and the movie only really works from one. It was ok- I wouldn't watch it again - but we get the message- ...again
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 junkies. 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.
America was trciked into a war with a nation that had nothing to with the 911.....America is a victum of a the Majority Lamb Class thats in control the Congress....And the Lions of the country needs to get up for the good of the humanity as if they dont its a dark tunnel without a light
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 some 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.
Slightly less exciting than watching C-SPAN. Delivers its "message" with a sledghammer rather than with style, substance, and subtlety. Robert Redford counsels a student in scenes so dull and boring that they may have been better if the counselor from South Park had just shown up and told him "War is bad mmmmmkay." If you want to watch a good talky movie about the folly of war, watch "The Fog of War."
Well, I've never really interested in politics... I watched this movie ONLY because of Meryl Streep.
Quite boring in some parts...
Anyway... this movie really gave great views about war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Quite hard 2 understand, but i like the dialogues, really smart.
I've never agree with the war, and I really hate that the American government always interfere with other country's business, and they seems like 'Do whatever it takes to make U.S the absolute superpower!!'
"America as a force of rightousness?"
Uhhh...
Isn't it nonsense..?
(Well, it's just my opinion...)
This is an excellent movie. I understand that people have some reservations for flicks about the Middle East so they?re being bashed by the public for the most part, but I?ve seen quite a few recently (In the Valley of Elah, Stop-Loss, The Kingdom) and Lions for Lambs is best. It?s fast paced?three separate stories are being told that greatly affect each other?and even though there?s a political agenda, it?s not really being slapped in your face. Very important message?and great characters. Seriously.
Yawn. In the end, I didn't even know what the movie is about - it scratches the surface of a good topic, but it stays shallow all the time - combined with the slow pace and the so so acting performance (Cruise in his typical role, I don't like that) it was just boring. Wasn't even sure if this movie is critical about the war in Afghanistan or not and because it's soo shallow, there's nothing to think about later.
Good social commentary from both Rep. and Dem. parties regarding the Iraqi war. A bit preachy at times but not enough to sway an opinion. The performances weren't memorable but were done good enough to keep my interest in the characters. The movie really feels like 3 vignettes all happening at the same time. Each storyline is cut and edited just right to keep me interested and wanting to follow it to the end.
this was a pretty boring. the cast was superb. but the story fell till half of the movie. this movie shows 3 point of views of our country nd the war in afghanistan. which we already saw movies like these b4, they r all da same.
None of the ideas shown in the movie were unknown nor presented in a revolutionary point of view. I've seen it already. This doesn't make the movie bad, but doesn't make it good either.
Dissapointed. It treats a good topic in a very simplistic and shallow way. Some of the performances are fine, but the pacing, the dialogue and the vission of the film didn't satisfy me.
apoi knd am vazut filmu..m'am certat cu pers cea mai importanta din viata mea :( deci... n'am fost prea atenta la el... dar pare interesant :| il voi mai vedea o data...
Gives Redford an opportunity to preach his political views. Bulk of the film revolves around conversations involving the feature cast; in theory that should be the recipe for an enjoyable film. Unfortunately, every scene involves the characters flip-flopping between moments of timid insight and righteous indignation haphazardly. The problem lies both in the script and the directing. Tom Cruise gives the best performance in the film; likely because he has the most consistent character.
Well Done!!! A must see!! Protrays the issues relaitve to the Iraq war and US citizens form various backgrounds and viewpoints. All actors executed theri roles very well and the story was very well written with a relaitic spin both conservative and liberal were well represented.
Good acting, but what story does the movie try to tell? It's really 3 stories with loose connections to each other. I found one more interesting than the other 2 and just wished the movie would get back to the one I was interested in. Although Cruise and Streep show off their acting chops in their scenes, their story is so-so. Not really worth the screen time they are given. Instead of the new war strategy Cruise is pushing for his ambitions, they could have been discussing any other recycled initiative that politicians use for advancement like socialized medicine or tax reform. Anyone can watch these exchanges most Sunday mornings on Meet the Press - without a script. It just wasn't interesting. The story that I had some interest in, was the professor-student dialogues where the "prodigy" goes back and forth with Redford about why he should do what with his life going forward. In the end, I can simply judge the movie as an experiment with mixed results. Some may find this kind of film compelling. I was able to take away some positives from this flick, but for me most of it was a shrug and move on type of time killer.
It's frustrating me to see the critics rating this movie as if it was the worst of the year !
When I saw the theatrical trailer, I was totally waiting for the movie it actually shows: a movie where people talk... Talk about one of the most important subject of our time. I was not waiting for a thriller with conspiracies in every corner like the critics seemed to !
Okay, maybe the story was a little slow (but don't get me wrong, every lines were astonishing and the movie contains some breathtaking war scenes), but I thought each word was chosen perfectly and said by actors at their best. Ahh the actors ! Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise were completely admirable ! And well Robert Redford, without compting in his excellent direction job, acted greatly.
By forgetting what the critics said negatively about the abrupt ending, on my side, I thought it was very clever.
Finally, like it or not, it's still a movie every one should see.
MCT:July 22, 2008
MCT:July 17, 2008
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MCT:July 11, 2008
MCT:July 11, 2008
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MCT:June 24, 2008
MCT:May 28, 2008
