Review of Lions for Lambs (2007) by Kendra S — 06 Sep 2008

It was okay. I got emotionally involved in the debates and the story, but it was propaganda in an unconvincing costume. So the propaganda supported "my side" of the issues more often than it touched on the fallibility of the other side, it's still propaganda pretending to be a movie. While a great message was for people to get involved, it wasn't the only message, nor, I think, the main message the filmmaker and screenwriter wanted you to hear.

As for the actual movie, I thought it was an interesting idea...taking two debates about American politics and citizenry today and interspersing these plotless debates with the story that shows those who take action and how they are impacted by these very debates. However, I think it would have made a better short than a full-length feature.

The actors did a fine job, but none showed any true stretch, as I think they were very much chosen for these roles because they've played these "types" many times before quite well. There is no character development, as the point is not to change the characters, but to get them to think. While it was a meaty topic, they were not meaty characters.