Lions for Lambs

Lions for Lambs is a 2007 American war drama film directed by Robert Redford and written by Matthew Michael Carnahan. The film features an ensemble cast, including Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise, and explores the complexities of the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. The movie was produced by United Artists and Wildwood Enterprises, and premiered at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles. The film's title is a reference to a phrase coined by David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who described the soldiers of World War I as "lions led by donkeys."

● Plot

The film's narrative is presented through multiple storylines, including the experiences of two University of California, Berkeley students, Arian Finch and Erik Martinez, who are inspired by their professor, Stephen Malley (played by Robert Redford), to enlist in the United States Army. The story also follows Jasmine Hiller (played by Derek Luke), a young soldier who is part of an Operation Enduring Freedom mission in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Senator Jasper Irving (played by Tom Cruise) is interviewed by Janine Roth (played by Meryl Streep), a journalist for The New York Times, about the war effort and the Bush Administration's Foreign policy of the United States. The film also touches on the September 11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror, as well as the Pentagon's response to the Taliban insurgency.

● Production

The film was written by Matthew Michael Carnahan, who was inspired by the War on Terror and the Iraq War. The screenplay was developed in collaboration with Robert Redford, who also directed and produced the film. The movie was shot on location in Los Angeles, New York City, and Afghanistan, with cinematography by Philippe Rousselot. The film's score was composed by Mark Isham, who has also worked on films like Crash and The Black Dahlia. The production team included Tracy Falco and Andrew Spaulding, who have worked on films like The Last Samurai and The Bourne Supremacy.

● Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including Robert Redford as Stephen Malley, a professor at University of California, Berkeley, and Meryl Streep as Janine Roth, a journalist for The New York Times. Tom Cruise plays the role of Senator Jasper Irving, a United States Senator who is interviewed by Janine Roth about the war effort. The film also stars Derek Luke as Jasmine Hiller, a young soldier who is part of an Operation Enduring Freedom mission in Afghanistan. Other cast members include Michael Peña as Erik Martinez, a University of California, Berkeley student who enlists in the United States Army, and Andrew Garfield as Todd Hayes, a student who is inspired by Stephen Malley's teachings.

● Release

The film was released on November 9, 2007, by United Artists and MGM Studios. The movie premiered at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles and was also screened at the Rome Film Festival and the London Film Festival. The film received a limited release in the United States, playing in over 2,000 theaters, and grossed over $63 million at the box office. The movie was also released on DVD and Blu-ray by MGM Home Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

● Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances of the cast, particularly Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 27%, based on reviews from critics like Roger Ebert and A.O. Scott. The film was also nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for Tom Cruise's performance. The film's themes and messages were also discussed by pundits like Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann on Fox News Channel and MSNBC.

● Themes

The film explores several themes, including the complexities of the War on Terror and the Iraq War, as well as the Pentagon's response to the Taliban insurgency. The movie also touches on the September 11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror, as well as the Bush Administration's Foreign policy of the United States. The film's title, "Lions for Lambs," refers to the idea that soldiers are often sent to fight in wars without adequate support or resources, and that the United States government has a responsibility to protect its citizens and soldiers. The film's themes and messages were also discussed by scholars like Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn in the context of American imperialism and militarism. Category:War films