Good flicks: Syriana

January 4th, 2006 | Filed under Reviews

Originally we had planned to hit up half-priced movie night (Tuesday) at the local small-run theatre, Liberty Hall, but the draw of attending a flick yesterday on the last day of my “vacation” from work was to much to handle. Intead of heading to beautiful downtown Lawrence (where we were going to see Good Night, and Good Luck) we drove across town to the shit-box that is our local excuse for a multiplex to see Syriana. I know I may sound a little jaded in regards to corporate movie theatres, but there couldn’t be anything further from the truth. In fact I absolutely love the AMC 30 over by Gordo’s place.

Alright, enough rambling.

This is one of those rare instances in which I knew almost nothing going into the theatre. I knew that this was a thriller dealing with the CIA and the middle east. Considering how much I enjoyed Tony Scott’s Spy Game, I was more than excited about another film dealing with such a volatile and topical region.

The film itself is an interesting expose on the economics, politics and the struggle for survival in Iran. Combining more than 4 or 5 main plots, and several sub-plots as well, the film lives up to it’s tag line “everything is connected.” Considering the film is written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, the writer of Traffic, this should come as no surprise as he holds the audience in good hands.

While the film is a little more complex than most, it does an outstanding job explaining corporate greed, local/global politics and what causes a young man to become a suicide bomber. What is so amazing is that Gaghan does so in such a subtle manner. What I think I like most about the film is that it never treats the audience as a group of popcorn munching idiots, which tends to be the norm in Hollywood as of late.

The all-star cast, including personal favs Matt Damon and George Clooney, Chris Cooper as well as the always quirky Amanda Peet, bring to life an excellent story that will not only entertain, but educate as well.