Lions for Lambs - Propaganda anyone?
August 13th 2007 05:54
A politically charged thriller - but whose politics does it represent?
In the newer version, Cruise's young up-and-coming Senator seems far more oily and fallible, with Meryl Streep's journalist being allowed to grill him (quietly) - Robert Redford still drones on about nothing in the background while action footage of "the war against terror" plays out in the background.
Still, despite these mild improvements, the entire thing still ends with Cruise's character asking Streep's journalist the most offensive question to hit the screen so far this year: "do you want to win the war on terror? Yes or no. This is the quintessential yes-or-no question of our time. Yes or no!"
Lions for Lambs is, without question, shaping up to be the most contraversial screen release of the year, and it is a horrific, indeed, baffling state of affairs that a film with such an overtly pro-government character would attract a roster of so seemingly anti-government personality's!
Meryl Streep, Robert Redford and Tom Cruise are not exactly known for their pro-government sympathies. Just what is on offer in this film? Are audiences to be presented with a balanced argument for and against the war on terror, or a Tom Clancy-ish sci-fi epic dealing with a fanciful projection of what is to come?
Just the tagline of this film is a hornets nest! "If you don't stand for something, you might fall for anything." So just what are we standing for? For the defeat of terrorist forces? Or against the corrupt use of military force?"
Either way it's going to cause one hell of a stir.
This film will either see its principle cast members nominated for Oscars or tarred and feathered!!!
It is somewhat galling to admit it, but I can't wait to see the next Tom Cruise movie, simply so I can tell whether this is pure Republican party propaganda or a skewering indictment of the war on terror. Either looks possible, and either way someone will suffer.
If it is indeed a movie expressing pre-dominantly pro-war sentiments and sentimentality then Tom Cruise's career - already hanging by a thread! - will self destruct at the box-office in grand style! Though unfortunately this will also mean that our beloved Meryl Streep and highly respected Robert Redford may cop a little of the backlash at the same time! And that must simply not be allowed.
However, if this is an intelligent and fast paced indictment against the war on terror... we might even be talking Oscars. It's been a while since there has been a truly important political commentary presented with any degree of skill on the big screen.
Though it is over two months away... watch this space! I can't wait to see this picture - and either I way I can see that I will either talk it up or tear it to pieces!!!
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