Movie Review: 'Lions for Lambs'

A highly-charged political drama, Lions for Lambs is the best of the politically-flavoured bunch ( The Kingdom / Rendition ) recently released by Hollywood.

A talky, digressive three-stranded story about the "quintessential yes-or-no question of our time", Lambs stars Meryl Streep as Janine Roth, a journalist visiting Republican Senator Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise) for an exclusive interview. Granted an hour of his time to discuss the US's new counter-terrorism policy, Roth engages Irving in a lively debate on the rights and wrongs of the war on terror.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the States, Dr Stephen Malley (Robert Redford) tries to coerce his brightest student (played brilliantly by Andrew Garfield, hitherto known only for two episodes of Doctor Who ) out of flunking out of his class. Doing this by explaining to him the story of Arian (Derek Luke – Catch a Fire ) and Ernest (Michael Peña – World Trade Centre ), his previous best and brightest who chose to enlist in the army after graduating, we are treated to flashbacks of their college years as well as real-time events of their current op. Which just happens to be the new initiative set in play by one Senator Irving.

Directed by Robert Redford, Lambs is stylistically uncinematic for large parts, as people just sit around talking. It nevertheless remains entirely engrossing throughout. A verbal battle of wits and ideologies in the Senator's and Professor's offices, we are treated to polarised views on important issues that are going on right at this moment. Drawing parallels between the decision-making during Vietnam and now, the blame for the current crisis is interestingly attributed to several different levels of society, not least to the press as to the politicians.

However, what you really want to get back to is the layered conversation between Cruise's Senator Irving and Streep's journo Roth. Both acting at the top of their game, the screen fairly sizzles during their scenes. The meatiest role Cruise has committed to since Magnolia , the spin-doctoring Senator is the perfect funnel for his charismatic, clean cut, all-American, toothy grin; all veneer hiding an unsaid subtext. Streep meanwhile has the difficult job of personally carrying the (liberal?) ideology that the movie adheres to whilst having to state the most barbed indictments of American institutions. But of course, ever the pro, she achieves this with aplomb, dignity and grace.

Ultimately though, the movie's decisive message (which also stands as a rallying call to America's youth) is that the apathy of modern man is the disease that rots our society. Only through our own actions can we make a difference. Now, that's a moral that resonates long after the credits have rolled.

Four stars out of five