Release
Date: April 8, 2008 Director: Robert Redford Starring: Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Michael Pena, Derek
Luke, Andrew Garfield, Peter Berg Genre: Drama
Review: The considerable authority of Robert Redford pulls some
heavyweight talent into Lions for Lambs, a rare Hollywood foray into
flat-out political filmmaking. Three dramas, all connected, play out
simultaneously during the same hour: On a mountainside in Afghanistan, two U.S.
soldiers (Michael Pena and Derek Luke) find themselves stranded during a new
military surge; on Capitol Hill, a Republican senator (Tom Cruise) tries to sell
the new strategy to a seasoned reporter (Meryl Streep); and in California, a
professor (Redford) tries to light the fire of commitment in an increasingly
apathetic college student (Andrew Garfield). Director Redford cuts back and
forth amongst these arenas, a gambit which thankfully obscures how weak the one
non-talkfest (the Afghanistan segment) really is. You can tell Redford and
screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan put their juice in the debate between
Cruise and Streep, which summarizes Right and Left views on the Middle Eastern
wars, and does so reasonably lucidly--although there is little here that would
surprise anyone who has looked into the subject...more
Extras: Commentary by Redford, "The
Making of Lions for Lambs," "Script to Screen" and "United Artists
Legacy" featurettes. (UA/MGM).
Movie Spotlight
Lions for Lambs Release
Date: November 9, 2007 Studio: United Artists (MGM) Director: Robert Redford Screenwriter: Matthew Michael Carnahan Starring: Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Michael Pena, Derek
Luke, Andrew Garfield, Peter Berg Genre: Drama MPAA Rating: R (for some war violence and
language) Official Website:
LionsforLambs.UnitedArtists.com
Plot Summary:
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.
EN 5 Second Review:
Whether or not you like this movie is 100% dependent on
your political point of view. Interesting enough, but definitely not
entertaining.
The
ethics and truths it raises, in meaningful discourse, is well-crafted,
human, and well-rounded ending satisfyingly and movingly. Peter Veugelaers:
EntertainmentNutz.com The beauty of
this political drama is that it is not a treatise and doesn’t simplify
or preach on the issues surrounding American involvement in Afghanistan
and further abroad but treats the subject with broad brush strokes
embellishing with home truths through sincere mouthpieces and focuses on
individual responsibility in an intelligent manner. Like three separate
plays, director Robert Redford performs as the professor inspiring his
students, two of whom (Michael Pena and Luke Wilson) get involved in the
war, while Meryl Streep as a reporter against war strikes up friendly
relations with a Republican senator (a well-cast Tom Cruise) for a story
on the battle. They’re all well-acted. Set in 2007, after first strikes
on Iraq, and during the hotbed of potential involvement in Iran, and
although talky, it is interestingly so, and there are many memorable
touches and quotes. The ethics and truths it raises, in meaningful
discourse, is well-crafted, human, and well-rounded ending satisfyingly
and movingly.
Robert
Redford (who also directed), Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep
might just as well have appeared on-screen for a couple
of minutes with signs that said, 'War is bad,' and been done
with it. Saves everyone the cost of a ticket Bill Goodykoontz: Arizona Republic
Redford's point, obviously, is that we all need to engage,
to take more responsibility for our actions in going to and
carrying out a war. Fine - these are issues that need to be
discussed. But Lions for Lambs is much like Rush
Limbaugh's or Sean Hannity's radio shows, albeit weighing in
from the other side...more
Politicians,
the media, educators, military commanders and a docile public all come
under fire in a well-made movie that offers no answers but raises
many important questions Ray Bennett: Hollywood Reporter
The title of Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs" comes from a
comment made by a German officer in World War I about the bravery of
British soldiers compared to the criminal stupidity of their commanders.
The film, which had its world premiere Monday at the London Film
Festival, makes clear that Redford feels the same way ...more
EN 5 Second Review:
Whether or not you like this movie is 100% dependent on
your political point of view. Interesting enough, but definitely not
entertaining.
