Lions for Lambs (2007)

	Directed by: Robert Redford	COUNTRY USA GENRE Drama/War NORWEGIAN TITLE Løver for lam RUNNING TIME 88 minutes
	Produced by: Matthew Michael Carnahan Tracy Falco Andrew Hauptman Robert Redford
	Written by: Matthew Michael Carnahan

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Professor Stephen Malley	Robert Redford
Janine Roth	Meryl Streep
Senator Jasper Irving	Tom Cruise	½
Ernest Rodriguez	Michael Peña	½
Todd Hayes	Andrew Garfield	½
Lt. Col. Falco	Peter Berg	½
ANX Editor	Kevin Dunn
Arian Finch	Derek Luke	½

Review

Robert Redford has an interesting approach in this political and largely non-narrative film, as he shoots almost the entire film using three intercut takes from three sets: (1) a conversation between a no-nonsense Republican senator (Tom Cruise) and a once-liberal reporter (Meryl Streep); (2) a conversation between a political science professor (Robert Redford) and a talented student he feels is wasting his potential (Andrew Garfield); and (3) two young, idealistic American soldiers (Michael Peña and Derek Luke) trying to cope with a hopeless situation in a failed military operation in Afghanistan. These three segments are naturally connected, which Redford does fairly smoothly by presenting some thoughts on the complex and arguably unsatisfactory American foreign policy in general, and the state of affairs in Iraq and Afghanistan in particular.

With Lions for Lambs, Redford brings patient, academic discussions back to Hollywood. The film is inherently an asker rather than an answerer of questions, and this is effective on some levels, though it works far better in the refreshing Redford/Garfield segment than in the somewhat awkward (albeit profound) Streep/Cruise segment. "This is pure propaganda," says Janine Roth about the senator's presentation. That is probably a sentiment many people will have about Lions for Lambs as well, even if it is a well-disguised form of propaganda. There is no doubt that both Redford and his film are leftist (by US standards), yet the director does view things from more than one angle, and he doesn't claim to have the definite answer – fortunately and unfortunately.

Lions for Lambs is an engaging, delicately paced film portraying serious and important issues. It's a commendable effort from a filmmaker who through his entire career has wanted to break the mould and make a difference. Unfortunately, Lions for Lambs isn't quite pungent enough to make that difference a lasting one this time – neither cinematically nor as a political statement. Redford's professor Stephen Malley says that he feels it's better to try and fail than to fail to try. This film proves that Redford is a man of his word, at least. Kudos also to the effective, unconventional rhythm of the ending.