LIONS FOR LAMBS

MOVIE REVIEW...

Saying that “Lions for Lambs” is Hollywood liberals’ attempt at a measure of moral restitution for the wrong that America has done in using its military highhandedness (under the pretext of fighting an illusionary war on terror) in Iraq and Afghanistan, would not be too far off the mark.
And so, with conviction (and a rather good script!), “Lions for Lambs” gives viewers the liberal American perspective on the war on terror as seen through the eyes of an academic and a veteran journalist.
Professor Stephen Malley (Robert Redford) is a teacher who takes a keen interest in his students’ intellectual progress while Janine Roth (Meryl Streep) plays a journalist whose views on the war has changed to the negative with the passage of time and the unearthing of the ugly truth behind the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The movie begins with Stephen (Redford) calling in a student to talk about the dangers of the young man squandering his youth and intelligence by not taking his studies seriously.
Through this hearty and engaging debate between academic and his soon-to-be-protege, various war-related issues are fleshed out.
Janine, meanwhile has a meeting with Republican Senator Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise). Jasper is a man who has risen through the ranks in part thanks to the flattering articles written by Janine. Now, just as he reveals the U.S.’s new plans to neutralise terrorists in Afghanistan, Janine has taken a dim view of the war on terror and their interview session turns into a conversation about the rights and wrongs of the war on terror.
As Janine mouths the liberal apprehension that is growing towards the politicians and their false motive for engaging in such warfare in the middle east, Jasper counterjectures on how the gung-ho media’s support at the early stage had also contributed towards the war.
Now both politicians and the media have to make the best of a terrible situation, wily politician Jasper contends, adding that steps are being taken to rectify the mistakes and more effective means are being deviced to defeat the terrorists, specifically in Afghanistan.
In a nutshell, the dialogue in the film, basically, gives voice to all the concerns the public has over the war in Iraq -- not just American voices but the voices of the world’s intellectuals.
As Stephen, Janine and Jasper engage in their ideological warfare in a civilised manner, there is a parallel story that shows the new military manoeuvre which Jasper speaks of unfolding in Afghanistan.
Planning tactics with maps and data while on safe homeground and executing them in treacherous enemy ground are two different things, the film shows, as the mission goes kaput, with dire consequences.
The backgrounds of some of the military grunts are revealed through flashbacks and the soldiers’ patriotic willingness to put down their lives for their (misguided?) commander-in-chief has a dignified and somewhat sad poetic lilt to it.
The seriousness of the subject of war against terrorism is wonderfully captured on film by Redford, who also directed this thought-provoking film.
The chances of “Lions for Lambs” hitting the boxoffice jackpot is minute but all the players in the film take their roles seriously and relish in being able to give voice to their concerns about the war on terror. The performances from all the lead actors are impeccable here.
If you have a yen for some serious viewing, then Lions for Lambs is just the film of the times for you.

LIONS FOR LAMBS
Directed by Robert Redford
Starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Michael Pena, Andrew Garfield, Peter Berg, Kevin Dunn