Lions for Lambs was directed by Robert Redford, and he also appears in it as a player in two ofthe three stories. The screenplaywas written by Matthew Carnahan, and in one of the special features, hedescribes how his own experience of becoming almost oblivious to war coverageinspired him to tell these stories.
Lions for Lambs isnot an easy film. It has adefinite point of view, such that anyone who is supportive of the continuedU.S. presence in Afghanistan and Iraq probably shouldn’t watch it – you’ll findmuch too much with which to disagree. But even if you’re in favor of a swift pull-out, you’ll likely findelements of Lions for Lambs upsetting, and possibly problematic.
So, back to the three stories. I found the one with the greatest star power the leasteffective, and least affecting. Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep face off as a fast track young GOP senatorand a middle-aged reporter. Cruise’s character, Senator Jasper Irving, is a fast-rising star and aWest Point graduate. He served hisstint in intelligence, not in the field, which becomes an importantelement. Consider the title, Lions for Lambs. It’s a reference to a comment by aGerman officer during World War II (?), who was very impressed by the courageof the British troops, and just as unimpressed by their officers. He characterized the latter as lambsand the rank and file as lions. It’s hard to imagine a person less lamb-like in demeanor than Cruise’sIrving, but he’s clearly cast in the role of the one pushing his betters intoslaughter.
- 1 2
