Kim’s Movie Picks

the film’s pace left me wanting.

Yes, it stirs the pot on current political intrigue and reality in the Middle East and should be lauded for telling multiple truths.

 But as a film, it’s pace and editing left alot to be desired. I found I had to truly pay attention in order to follow the plot.  And it is not necessarily a bad thing to have a complex plot, but when viewers have to struggle to stay interested, to me, that is not a good thing.

The film tells three, interconnected stories, all centered on America’s role and interests in the Middle East oil trade and its resulting politics. Not a new story, but one told, finally,  in a very clear and direct way. And not unbiased in the least.

The story deserved better direction.

The director, Stephen Gaghan, should have kept a firmer pace, and the editing could have been tighter as well. The film is shot in stark contrasts, almost bordering on film noir, but lacks any moodiness or texture. It tells a good story, I just felt it could have been told better. (And it fact, it has been. If you like modern spy stories, I recommend you check out 2001’s Spy Games starring Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. Better pace, tighter editing and the characters’ motivations are clearer.)

Performances in Syriana are high caliber: George Clooney is very good in the ‘spy brought in from the cold’ main character role, but with so much of his emotional state internalized, that, I think, the director missed an opportunity to turn this into an outstanding performance. Matt Damon gives one of his best performances since his breakout role in Good Will Hunting in this film, but the writers could have given him more. Without giving away too much of the plot, there is a point at the end of this film when you begin to believe that Damon’s character might also have a dual role…but the storyline doesn’t give you enough to follow that line of thought, and I think the film would have been stronger if more of those suggestions had had follow through.

Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as an attorney walking the fine line between questionable ethics and outright fraud, with Chris Cooper giving a crusty performance as his blustery and shrewd client. And William Hurt and Christopher Plummer round out the cameo/supporting cast roles admirably.  Even Amanda Peet gives a short, tart turn as Damon’s wife.

And one of my current favorites, Alexander Siddig (late of TV’s Deep Space Nine, and one of the only reasons to rent the recently released DVD, Kingdom of Heaven), has a pivotal, and sympathetic Arab role in this film that he carries admirably – okay, full disclose time– I also think he’s stunning to watch on the big screen.

Three stars, mostly for the storyline and performances. I have to admit a tad of disappointment over the pace, direction and editing, since the buzz on this movie has been so strong. But I still recommend it; I just don’t think it is a must-see. Note that this movie is rated R for violence and language.  The violence is stark, real, and often, unexpected,  so be warned. Not a movie for grandma, unless she is into political intrigue. Not for children over 14, mostly because they won’t be able to catch, and understand, all the nuances of the plot. A good date movie if you like to debate topical subjects.