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Short and brisk are probably the last words one would think of when it comes to the directing work of Robert Redford, but that's exactly what the latest cinematic critique of the war and general U.S. foreign policy is. What these 88 minutes (!) aren't of course is subtle as it follows three threads: a journalist (Meryl Streep) interviewing a hotshot senator (Tom Cruise) about to enact a new initiative; a professor (Redford) grilling a student (Andrew Garfield) he feels has potential; and two of Redford's former students with potential (Michael Peña and Derek Luke), now fighting as soldiers in Afghanistan. None of these stories go anywhere new, with the one carried by Redford feeling especially forced and artificial (not helped by a very lackluster Garfield), and the film's points are made obvious the first minute and then monotonously drilled ad nauseum the remaining 87. As for Cruise, launching the new United Artists with this film--it's a one-note showboat role he obviously took on to reassert his acting chops, but gets effortlessly one-upped by Streep, with whom he shares all his screen time--she's natural, unforced, quietly powerful while Tom has to flash the whites and turn on his schtick full-tilt.Read full review
This film is an insightful assessment predominately of the two Republican wars: Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq from various perspectives. These perspectives include a slippery GOP Senator engaging in Orwellian double speak, half-truths and propaganda; a journalist with honest intentions that recognizes her organization's complicity in selling the war leading to the death of 1000's of Americans founded on lies; two brave ideological students who become Army rangers in the hope of making a difference; a wise college professor that recognizes that in America today, lion warriors fight for lamb leadership which have no skin in the game; and a cynical "every man" college student struggling between apathy and activism. If you are not open to honest dialog and introspection, do not seek the truth, are a political or religious ideologue, are one of the 58 percent of Americans that can not identify the three branches of government but can name the three stooges, are part of the apathy crowd, are one that actively engages in cognitive dissonance, are an authoritarian follower, or if your idea of entertainment is just watching things blow up, then this film is not for you. Therefore, this film will have a more limited audience that appreciates the intelligent dialog.Read full review
Redford, Streep, and Cruise take us through a wake up call for Patriotism. A gifted student of Political Science has become 'Comfortably Numb' to the course and no longer shares the passion for learning his instructor once observed. Redford shares the struggle of two previous students now serving in the Military on a snow covered mountain in Afghanistan. The two are under fire and fighting for their lives. During the soldiers struggle for life Cruise, A Senator, is outlining the plan for the future U.S. involvement in Afghanistan to Streep, a reporter of a powerful Washington D.C. news paper. Together they give us food for thought; how do we rebuild the Patriotic momentum lacking in the youth of today. How do we get the students involved? Do away with the 11th grade in high school and make it mandatory for students to work a year in the Peace Corp, or a similar program in one of the 500 poorest zip codes in the United States, or some form of military service to expose the student to the sacrifices made in this country that gives them the freedom they enjoy. A wake up call for all Americans. It leaves the student thinking; what is his responsibility to this Country for the Freedom he takes for granted. A must see movie.Read full review
I liked the way the story was told, albeit from a liberal perspective. The acting was good but the language was a little uncalled for.
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Although I have some poor reviews of this movie, I thought the subject was gripping and the presentation balanced. I thought the acting eas superior. The presentation of the themes of the movie is well designed by the director. Possibly some people may not like the political content of the mavie as they see it from their prospective but the movie actually presents the struggle anyone faces who wants to make their life purpose worthwhile.
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