Review of Syriana (2005) by Kylie P — 26 Jan 2010

Just like films with the likes of "The Godfather" or "Casino", "Syriana" offers an insider's look on corruption, power, politics, but this time, focuses on the dirty rules of the oil industry's constant tug-of-war.

Just like Stephen Gaghan's screenplay in "Traffic", "Syriana" is not a linear narrative, but instead consists of fragments, that in the end, only solidifies the power of the theme of the whole film.

While other political thrillers portrays CIA agents as cool, charismatic, and always packed with insurmountable cunning, here, we are shown an overweight middle-aged man with an ignorance of personal grooming, yet reluctant and willing to be the government's foot soldier in perilous missions.

It was a radical change in his career direction, but George Clooney showcased the great actor inside him, resulting in the best performance of his career. "Syriana" is a film where we are not allowed to take sides, because there is none, but if sympathy will be evoked, in my opinion, Bob Barnes(George Clooney) and Prince Nasir(Alexander Siddig) deserved it, and as symbolized by their otherworldly glare at each other in the climax, it is as if the film is suggesting that they are both the moral center of a film ironically fueled by corruption.

if Greed, according to Gordon Gekko, is good, Syriana suggests that, with an effective delivery by Tim Blake Nelson, "Corruption is why we win". two fearless quotes by two powerful films.