2008 Woodie Awards
Movie questions Iraq War
Mayra Marquez
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
What has happened to America since the attacks of Sept. 11? Why does our government keep sending troops to war? Does the government really have a strategy to end the war once and for all after six long years?
"Lions for Lambs" is a film striving to answer such questions that should preoccupy any true American.
It is a movie about engagement and motivation involving foreign policy and Hollywood's new take on how the incidents of Sept. 11, 2001, have changed America.
After seven years in hiatus, Robert Redford has returned as producer of "Lions for Lambs" and also plays a leading role as an intellectual political science teacher in the movie.
The film begins with Janine Roth (Meryl Streep), a television reporter, preparing for an extremely important interview with an up-and-coming young Republican congressman played by Tom Cruise.
Cruise's character is passionate and exciting as he gives Roth what he calls "the scoop of a lifetime," - the government's new strategy on how to finally end the war.
The interview seems a little cheesy as Cruise's character talks about doing "whatever it takes to preserve the lives of American citizens" and gets teary-eyed.
There's also a touch of humor when Roth walks around the congressman's office in his absence and looks at all his pictures with President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and several other important political figures.
Personally, the most humorous picture is of Cruise in his military uniform … you won't be able to hold back your laughter. Trust me.
The plot progresses with the story of a concerned political science teacher wondering why his once motivated, enthusiastic student just doesn't seem to care anymore.
A third story line unfolds with two young soldiers in the battlefield willing to do anything in the name of America and in the name of friendship.
Although the stories seem choppy at times, they all come together at the end with one common theme … something that is reiterated throughout the film, engagement.
At a special screening of "Lions for Lambs" at Southern Methodist University Oct. 17 actor Michael Pena, who plays the role of one of the soldiers, was available for a short question and answer. As an up-and-coming actor, Pena spoke about how he started his career and how he strives to play roles in movies that have a meaningful message to deliver.
"In my neighborhood some guys have gone [to war] and some haven't," he said. "Their motivation is to protect our way of life … to add to history so to speak. This movie's about engagement and being engaged in one way or another."
"Lions for Lambs" seems to leave us with a lingering question, are we willing to do whatever it takes?
"Lions for Lambs" is a film striving to answer such questions that should preoccupy any true American.
It is a movie about engagement and motivation involving foreign policy and Hollywood's new take on how the incidents of Sept. 11, 2001, have changed America.
After seven years in hiatus, Robert Redford has returned as producer of "Lions for Lambs" and also plays a leading role as an intellectual political science teacher in the movie.
The film begins with Janine Roth (Meryl Streep), a television reporter, preparing for an extremely important interview with an up-and-coming young Republican congressman played by Tom Cruise.
Cruise's character is passionate and exciting as he gives Roth what he calls "the scoop of a lifetime," - the government's new strategy on how to finally end the war.
The interview seems a little cheesy as Cruise's character talks about doing "whatever it takes to preserve the lives of American citizens" and gets teary-eyed.
There's also a touch of humor when Roth walks around the congressman's office in his absence and looks at all his pictures with President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and several other important political figures.
Personally, the most humorous picture is of Cruise in his military uniform … you won't be able to hold back your laughter. Trust me.
The plot progresses with the story of a concerned political science teacher wondering why his once motivated, enthusiastic student just doesn't seem to care anymore.
A third story line unfolds with two young soldiers in the battlefield willing to do anything in the name of America and in the name of friendship.
Although the stories seem choppy at times, they all come together at the end with one common theme … something that is reiterated throughout the film, engagement.
At a special screening of "Lions for Lambs" at Southern Methodist University Oct. 17 actor Michael Pena, who plays the role of one of the soldiers, was available for a short question and answer. As an up-and-coming actor, Pena spoke about how he started his career and how he strives to play roles in movies that have a meaningful message to deliver.
"In my neighborhood some guys have gone [to war] and some haven't," he said. "Their motivation is to protect our way of life … to add to history so to speak. This movie's about engagement and being engaged in one way or another."
"Lions for Lambs" seems to leave us with a lingering question, are we willing to do whatever it takes?
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