Lions for Lambs is an indictment of the government and the media, and shows how everybody pays for decisions that are made. We even get a bit of the blame placed on America in general as we have become too complacent to fight for anything. Pretty much everything in the film is a point that is believable, if arguable. The problem is that for a 90 minute film it is all talk. Seriously, this movie is all about the talk. Talk, talk, talk.
It starts off potentially involving as each of the players is intriguing in their own right, but I kept waiting for something big to happen. They just kept talking, and talking, and then the movie was over. So, without much going on beyond the talk, any interest is going to lie with the star power. To a degree it works. Cruise has the smarmy politician down, Streep is fine as the conflicted reporter, and Redford has a laid back charm as he tries to start a fire. Pena and Luke carry the heart of the movie and represent the only characters that I actually cared anything for.
Bottom line. I did not feel that this movie broke any new ground and did not succeed in telling us anything that we didn't already know. The resulting product amounts to a lecture. Did I like it? To an extent, I just wish that there was more to it. It survives on the strength of the stars and the conviction with which they bite into the roles.
Mildly Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Taffe
Patrons are voting with their feet, and opting not to attend and support movies like this . Hollywood needs a reality check. Movie goers don’t want this type of entertainment.
2 - bliffle
The reviews I've read have all said that it's too preachy. Too didactic. I surmised that it's a leftist movie converse of an Ayn Rand novel.
Sounds boring.
3 - Cha Cha
This movie was very excellent movie. It's a very sad thing when american rather not here about the truth or watch what's happening to us as a country. I believe EVERY AMERICAN needs to see this movie.
4 - Triniman
I found it preachy with too much dialogue. Still, it may be the first film that points the finger also at the media for enthusiastically selling the war to the public.
Hollywood churns out endless crappy films that few people want to see. Despite "voting with their feet," these films continue to be made. Hollywood has never gotten the message because just enough people see these rotten films.