A complex, multi-storied account of oil geo-politics told in the manner of the director's Traffic, i.e. simulataneous events interweaved.
Don't expect a simplistic good guys vs. bad guys typical Hollywood film here, it doesn't insult your intelligence.
Clooney and a host of other actors do excellent jobs but Matt Damon, as a world-class investing whiz, just doesn't project the chutzpah or "balls."
Further, there is one scene which is so out of place one wonders how it was included (the rant outside the building about "corruption").
Also, the final scenes with Clooney seem contrived and, though they don't detract from the overall impact at the time, later on with a bit of thought it does seem a tad... ridiculous.
Still, this is a remarkable film, rich in complexity, fine performances, realistic dialogue. It creates a very credible world and, for the most part, it delivers non-stop excitement with a healthy dose of suspense.
This movie is what The Constant Gardener could have been.
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Topic - Syriana: just give it the Best Oscar now. - tinear 17:47:06 12/09/05 (42)
- SPOILER question to those who have seen it . . . - mr grits 06:21:08 12/12/05 (1)
- Dumb luck - Road Warrior 09:14:26 12/12/05 (0)
- Yeah, I'm sure all 20 people that saw it will vote...** - EdM 16:14:28 12/11/05 (3)
- 20 people paid 12 MILLION to see it? Wow. That's some expensive tickets. - tinear 17:01:26 12/11/05 (2)
- My bad, when I last looked it did 1.8m but then opened wide.* - EdM 10:22:35 12/12/05 (0)
- 1 flippin screen here in Dallas. About 1/4th full after a B+ review in the Friday paper * - Road Warrior 20:00:51 12/11/05 (0)
- Let's not forget it is based on a guy's experiences in the field . . . complex and compelling. * - mr grits 23:10:46 12/10/05 (3)
- Sorry- I don't think it was based on anything except - EdM 16:13:30 12/11/05 (2)
- Wrong. Read Clark's linked interview with Gaghan, above. nt - tinear 18:24:23 12/11/05 (0)
- Maybe he lost a nail in a door slam or sumthin. * - mr grits 16:17:39 12/11/05 (0)
- Liked it but Capote was better... - ToshiroofKreplachastan 15:48:56 12/10/05 (9)
- Re: Needless to tell you that a " Capote...--- - patrickU 04:27:09 12/11/05 (2)
- And a "French Purse" (or have they changed that to "Freedom Purse" after fucking Iraq?) in the US... (nt) - orejones 01:47:28 12/12/05 (1)
- Re: It is curious that all countries tend to discrimate the other... - patrickU 04:50:02 12/12/05 (0)
- The Squid And The Whale is hysterical but definitely a bit depressing. - sjb 16:41:36 12/10/05 (1)
- Not so much "depressing" as disheartening. nt - clarkjohnsen 12:43:19 12/11/05 (0)
- I would agree - tunenut 16:01:00 12/10/05 (3)
- Good point about the displaced Palestinian - Road Warrior 17:52:19 12/10/05 (2)
- I thought it had a lot to do with everything... (spoilers) - sjb 18:55:01 12/10/05 (0)
- It was tangential but it DID make a point: if that region wasn't - tinear 18:11:30 12/10/05 (0)
- The "corruption" rant wasn't out of place. (warning spoilers) - sjb 23:08:13 12/09/05 (1)
- Well, I think the acting of the guy in the scene - tinear 05:27:16 12/10/05 (0)
- Thank you Tin - Road Warrior 20:31:35 12/09/05 (19)
- Oscar worthy? Yup, could beat just about any of the winners of the past 10 years. nt - tinear 05:28:21 12/10/05 (6)
- Enjoyed the movie, but best of last "tin" years? - Road Warrior 15:25:41 12/10/05 (5)
- "I had no problem with the executives being cartoonized." Aha! Just as I thought. - clarkjohnsen 12:46:42 12/11/05 (1)
- But thats what makes them "Antagonists" right? - Road Warrior 14:26:00 12/11/05 (0)
- First off, I believe the disfavor of Clooney's character - tinear 17:22:16 12/10/05 (0)
- Re: Enjoyed the movie, but best of last "tin" years? - sjb 16:35:28 12/10/05 (1)
- Proof - Road Warrior 17:47:46 12/10/05 (0)
- I agree that it's great but I think you may not. - sjb 23:03:14 12/09/05 (11)
- Three Days of the Condor and The Formula may have been even more cynical. nt - tinear 17:37:09 12/10/05 (0)
- Don't you hate it when business executives are cartoonized? Don't you expect... - clarkjohnsen 07:34:54 12/10/05 (8)
- Addendum: A tough review - clarkjohnsen 08:39:27 12/10/05 (6)
- Sounds like she wasn't paying close attention - sjb 19:33:21 12/10/05 (4)
- "You... should try and un-makeup your mind that you won't like it." You missed my point entirely. - clarkjohnsen 12:41:30 12/11/05 (3)
- they are not actually hateful in this movie - tunenut 13:35:43 12/11/05 (2)
- The only thing the executives are "guilty" of in the picture is acting - tinear 13:47:14 12/11/05 (0)
- Thanks! Good to know, and to have an even-keeled response. nt - clarkjohnsen 13:46:38 12/11/05 (0)
- Well, that's it then, isn't it? Some folks don't like it, Clark hasn't seen it - tinear 11:49:31 12/10/05 (0)
- It appears you haven't seen the movie. The executives are portrayed - tinear 07:50:40 12/10/05 (0)
- I've always possessed the uncanny knack - Road Warrior 06:57:49 12/10/05 (0)