ViewGuide

Created May 02, 2008 11:09PM PST • Edited May 02, 2008 11:09PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   In a way, this movie comes across as the sequel to Charlie Wilson’s war — a telling of how the US is attempting to move on from the past and the different viewpoints about that movement. This movie tries to be fair by highlighting different viewpoints: The academic, the political establishment, the press, and the military, and I think it succeeds at that. Tom Cruise as the blustery Senator Jasper Irving who does a fantastic job representing the thinking that must be going on in the US goverment today. You may think it is an unfair portrayal of the prevailing powers, but I think it gets across just how genuinely convicted people are about their viewpoints. Instrumental to conveying the story was Meryl Streep as the initially patient reporter, who through her tact and pointed inquiries, drew things out of the senator that he probably wouldn’t have said otherwise. When she gets back to the office though, the conflict within her is unleashed as she considers responsibility of the media to decide what to publish and promote and what not to. Robert Redford as the motivating Professor Stephen Malley who incites his students in to political action and a desire to change things works in to the story very nicely and connects to the last (but not least) view from the soldiers on the ground, enduring harrowing experiences of survival. A surprising connection between the young idealists and the military was touching. I thought this movie was refreshing because it was thought provoking rather than just being only about grandstanding, yet it had enough tension and drama to keep it entertaining.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.7

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

19. Rudeness Salty 1.7

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0