Lions for Lambs - B-

On DVD.

While 2 soldiers (Michael Pena and Derek Luke) fight for their lives in Afghanistan, a reporter (Meryl Streep) interviews a Republican Senator (Tom Cruise) in Washington DC. Meanwhile, a college professor (Robert Redford – who also directs) tries to inspire a bright but disaffected student (Andrew Garfield). The three separate stories are tenuously connected: the soldiers’ mission is the brainchild of Cruise and Redford was their professor before they joined the military. Their reasons for joining and camaraderie give the story much needed heart and soul. (Click below for the rest)Any regular reader will know I had my knives out for this one, but I must admit, it’s interesting, stimulating, and surprisingly emotionally moving. (Pena and Luke make a great pair of outsiders who need each other to survive both in America and Afghanistan.) Sure, it’s overly talky and the liberal bromides are there but screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan (The Kingdom) shows all sides of the Iraq War arguments and indicts nearly everyone, from the press to Congress to the sedated, distracted American public.

Despite his off-screen wackiness, Cruise still has unbeatable on-screen charisma, completely relaxed and charming in front of the camera. Streep is still as potent an actress as there has ever been (she’s especially impressive in the post-interview scene dealing with the thermostat). Redford remains a great presence but his section has the most forced dialogue. Though watching Garfield turn the tables on his professor’s rhetoric was satisfying. The trailer made it look like a didactic lecture, neck deep in left-wing platitudes. But Redford is way too smart to make a movie that simple.

The title refers to a quote from a German officer in World War I, commending the valor of the British infantry: “Nowhere have I seen such lions led by such lambs.” Obviously, in the film’s context, the Bush administration members are the lambs, but I would include myself and all other Americans resting comfortably at home as well. At least most will agree that the American military are lions. B-

Note: In the UK, the film’s title was criticized for misquoting the common phrase: “Lions led by donkeys”, which is an even more interesting political observation.

Note#2: I would have given a “B” except Streep’s character naively observes that WWII lasted less than 5 years and Iraq is at already at 5 and counting. Two words: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When she freaks out later because she’s afraid Cruise will use nukes, I raised my hands with incredulousness.