Lions for Lambs (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 76

O Masterpiece (100)
X Excellent (75-99)
O Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / November 10, 2007

Motion pictures can provide effective historical commentary, if we realize that the nature of commentary is inherently and unavoidably subjective. Indeed, even documentarists whose pure desire is to simply capture events as they unfold helplessly taint their subject matter with their placement of the camera.

This being stated, we now live in an era comparable to the ‘70s (or any wartime era of the last 100 years) when we have a variety of forthcoming films about the current war. Among the Iraq War films, “Lions for Lambs” is worth consideration, as is “In the Valley of Elah.”

Of course it has an agenda, and of course it’s a political film. And yes, this film will probably provoke an emotional response from you. In fact, a guy who sat a couple seats down from me couldn’t stop himself from yelling at the screen from time to time.

And though it leans a little to the Left, “Lions for Lambs” largely gives fair time, within reason, to the viewpoints. But the movie also delivers a couple of calculated blows, here and there.

I admired it not as much from a political standpoint but from its narrative structure. We cut between three storylines happening simultaneously. Tom Cruise plays a senator who has given Meryl Streep, a reporter, an exclusive interview to break a story about a new military offensive in Afghanistan.

This is crosscut with the launching of the offensive, where we watch two soldiers, in particular, deal with a precarious predicament that becomes a tense waiting game. And the third story shows us Robert Redford playing a professor who’s trying to counteract one of his brighter student’s newfound apathy.

So, what we have with this film is a critique on the media, politicians and the apathy of Americans, especially the younger generation. The film regards individual military personnel with honor but mostly sympathy. And while we watch people discuss the issues “back home,” we see the issues themselves unfold on the battlefield. … Like I said, a little to the Left.

I was particularly impressed that the film keeps us engaged when two-thirds of it is conversational debate, staged in offices. The military scenes provide a little action and even more suspense with an impending timeline that symbolizes a grander representation of the timeline for troop withdrawal.

Overall, “Lions for Lambs” is an engaging film that has enough power to inspire conversations, discussions, arguments and even screaming at the screen.

Directed by Robert Redford
Robert Redford / Meryl Streep / Tom Cruise
88 min. Drama
MPPA: R (for some war violence and language)

Copyright 2007. 211