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4.235.200.2
In Reply to: Thank you Tin posted by Road Warrior on December 9, 2005 at 20:31:35:
adfg
Follow Ups:
It wasn't the best THIS year. I'd easily put Proof above it and quite possibly Broken Flowers. But opinions about movies definitely fall into the YMMV category.I had no problem with the executives being cartoonized. Bad guys in flicks are often portrayed in over the top manner. I think you also overstate the extent to which you believe corporations go to maximize profits, but thats a discussion for another board on another day. On to the movie,
Every scene with Clooney's scruffy character in it was good. Period. While not OSCAR worthy (IMHO) he did an excellent job. A man shat upon undeservedly by his superiors will always be sympathetic and he pulls it off perfectly.
On the "Shatting" upon. Tell me why this medalled man, who was tortured, was treated with such malevolence by the agency. Was it the Lortab for after tennis pain that caused me to miss something? Hes tortured by Mossawi, and then the CIA starts planning his disgrace?
Second, how does he know where to intercept the caravan? Again , this may be Lortab related.
We could see the final denouement coming a mile away. However, it was effective. I could imagine the headlines the next day, "Leading Al Queda figure killed in CIA missle attack".
Christopher Plummer stole all of his scenes. The one where he dressed down the young prince was sublime. Unfortunately, there are assholes like him in D.C. who are very connected.
Amanda Peet had a thankless role.
William Hurt, excellent as a private security consultant. Perhaps he gave Bob the intel on the caravan's whereabouts?
All in all, recommended, even if quite unbelievable. Actually pretty low key for a Geo-political thriller, even if the director didn't give it the epic feel it begged for. It defintely asked for the audience's attention. Was the reward for that attention an Oscar caliber production, No. If your're a lib, I can understand why you'd go bonkers, but remember Tin, it IS fiction. ***, Joe Bob says check it oout.
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See, I have a problem with *any* type of character being so treated, but especially when it's the antagonist -- it diminishes the accomplishment of the hero.Was the Baer original like that, I wonder?
clark
they behave outside the bounds of normalcy that define their being, right? That them makes them cartoonish in many cases when compared to the values that the protagonists hold sacred. Or something like that. Actually, I thought the CIA came off worse than the oil execs. The attornies? Total sleazes, but thats hardly a flash for the evening news.Dallas coming back against the Chiefs, so Road Warrior issuing an "Over and out"
NP - Cowboys/Chiefs, DUHHH!
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"Do I have to spell it out?
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stemmed from the fact that publicly he humiliated his superiors. I found the similarity to Joe Wilson quite powerful.
I didn't say 'twas the finest film in ten years but placed it above most Oscar winners of that period.
I also found the denouement and his finding the caravan a bit... over the top.
Still, for its handling of such a critical subject in such an entertaining and thoughtful way, with such clearly drawn and powerful characters, I rate it very highly: art can be topical and meaningful and not just ethereal, right?
I haven't seen Capote or the Whale movie yet but I was disappointed a bit in Broken Flowers. A good film but way below the bar set by the other aging guy flick, Lost in Translation.
You should read "See No Evil" the book upon which the movie is based. I started reading it after seeing the film and it's fascinating.They don't spell it out in the movie but the CIA turning on Clooney's character is, I believe, a nod to the thrust of the book which is that the modern CIA is more concerned with political correctness, politics and technology than it is to their human resources. Basically he was considered a has been and a pain in the ass from the old days.
When he was waiting to talk to the (I assume) Condi Rice based character you could overhear them laughing at the idea that doing great work in Beruit in the 80's meant anything and later he was in trouble for having told her a truth that condradicted what she wanted to hear (or at least what the CIA wanted her to hear).
Not saying it was reality but I thought his being turned on made sense in the movie.
Still, I found the movie highly plausible as a sketch of how things really work/happen (though I freely admit my political leanings - which are more anti runaway corporate power than "left" per se - left me predisposed to do so).
I really liked Proof. Haven't found more than a couple of people who felt the same way.
"Where are we going? And what am I doing in this hand basket?"
Saw it with Mrs. Nasty and her two sisters. It was a huge gamble as the evil sisters lean more toward mindless action flicks. They were blown away and I was considered a good husband (for at least a day). There was one jaw dropping moment in that film, and I know you know what I'm talking about, that made the audience collectively catch its breath. I honestly believe it'll be mostly overlooked when Oscars are handed out. That will be a great, great shame. Paltrow as Best Actress, Hopkins as Supporting Actor, and several others are deserved.I think your point that Clooney was considered an embarassing dinosaur is prolly correct. I remember that conversation you referenced and his subsequent interview.
Give corporations a chance. They're made up of, by and large, decent, educated people. Of course there are exceptions (ENRON!!!), but they aren't the rule. Movies rarely portray their true character (that wouldn't be any fun would it?).
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"Do I have to spell it out?
C --- H ---- E ---E ---- S --- E
A --- N --- D
O ---- N ---- I ---- O ---- N ---- S"
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