LONDON -- The title of Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs" comes from a comment made by a … '[12], Though Lions for Lambs was the first United Artists venture since Cruise and Paula Wagner attained control, executives billed the film as a "Robert Redford vehicle. In this case, the ailment is the malaise that sets in when a country -- here, the United States -- sends its young men and women to fight a war that goes on indefinitely. Check out our editors' picks for the best movies and shows coming this month. "[30], The film took in USD6.7 million in its opening weekend and debuted at the number four spot. And the problem is not with the people that started this; they're past irredeemable. Rome is burning, son. "[23], Derek Elley of Variety wrote that though the film was "star-heavy", it felt like "the movie equivalent of an Off Broadway play," and "uses a lot of words to say nothing new. He is naturally bright, comes from a privileged background, but has apparently slipped into apathy upon being disillusioned at the present state of affairs. ", "As entertainment, 'Lions' whimpers rather than roars", "Lions for Lambs Movie Review: Political drama feels more like a lecture", "Disjointed plots butcher the powerful potential in 'Lions for Lambs, "Bottom Line: An honest but a bit dry attempt at a serious discussion on the merits of current U.S. military strategies", "Hollywood misreads response to war on terror: Hollywood has misjudged the public's appetite for films about Iraq and the war on terror, Cathering Elsworth says, as a slew of new movies have flopped at the box office", "Today's war films miss the target at box office", "War: the Box Office Bomb: Americans shun new films", "Is Tom Cruise REALLY Toast ... this time? The biography of Ron Kovic. [7], When Robert Redford read the script, he became very interested, considering it smart as opposed to Hollywood's many "straight-out entertainment" projects, and also tricky due to the three stories "that seem to be disparate but are connected and have to come together in a vortex at the end", and that needed to be represented in a way the movie "wouldn't be categorized as a lefty film". Feb 07, 2011. ", "Oscar Futures: A Big Week for 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, "Survey: Depp Remains No. In either case, it is generally accepted to be a derivation of Alexander the Great's proclamation, 'I am never afraid of an army of Lions led into battle by a Lamb. Unwilling to draw any conclusion beyond a catch-all woolly liberal patriotism, Lions for Lambs may as well not exist. In the forest, to the northwest, are Blackrock spies. This film is supposed to be showing war from several angles; specifically, the consequences of war and the reactions to it. No, he remains Robert Redford in his handsome rugged way asking us to think without ever even asking it. "[36] In response to the opening weekend results, a representative at United Artists stated: "We performed right at the pre-weekend predictions and are glad to have done that. I admired the seriousness of the intention here. Once these issues have been addressed, the article can be renominated.Editors may also seek a reassessment of the decision if they believe there was a mistake. A reporter is discussing a singer's private life, while below runs a strip announcing Senator Irving's new military plan for Afghanistan. With Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Michael Peña. With a title that alludes to incompetent leaders sending brave soldiers into the slaughter of battle, the film takes aim at the U.S. government's prosecution of the wars in the Middle East, showing three different simultaneous stories: a senator who launches a new military strategy and details it to a journalist, two soldiers involved in said operation, and their college professor trying to re-engage a promising student by telling him their story. Decisions press upon the reporter, the student, and the soldiers. Three stories told simultaneous in ninety minutes of real time: a Republican Senator who's a presidential hopeful gives an hour-long interview to a skeptical television reporter, detailing a strategy for victory in Afghanistan; two special forces ambushed on an Afghani ridge await rescue as Taliban forces close in; a poli-sci professor at a California college invites a promising student to re-engage. Who just fiddle. Blackrock Spy slain (8) Description The invading orcs aren't fools. Before Todd makes his choice, he must listen to Dr. Malley's story of his former students Arian and Ernest and why they are in Afghanistan. While some military archivists credit the author as an anonymous infantryman, others argue that the source was none other than General Max von Gallwitz, Supreme Commander [sic] of the German forces. Tom Cruise' character is the politician using the war to further his campaign. 108 of 180 people found this review helpful. Everyone at United Artists are very proud of the film and could not have had a more perfect filmmaker to have made our first film. The film was written by Matthew Michael Carnahan, and directed by Robert Redford. Empty This review was written for the theatrical release of "Lions for Lambs." Watching Lions for Lambs feels a lot like taking your medicine: It may be good for you, but it doesn't go down smoothly. "[16] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 47 out of 100, based on 36 reviews. "[29] Ray Bennett of The Hollywood Reporter described Lions for Lambs as "a well-made movie that offers no answers but raises many important questions. There are suggestions below for improving the article. Injuries sustained by two Army rangers behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman, a journalist and a professor. Movie quote that best defines your mood in the morning... United Artists 100th Anniversary Poll Part IV. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The site's consensus states: "Despite its powerhouse cast, Lions for Lambs feels like a disjointed series of lectures, rather than a sharp narrative, and ends up falling flat. Lions For Lambs Script Roadside bombs have claimed the lives of eight US soldiers in Iraq. Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for. Four troops were killed when an explosion struck their vehicle north of Baghdad, while an airman was killed by another roadside bomb in Tikrit. Hayes suddenly falls quiet, contemplating the choices with which his professor had left him. Critics Consensus: Despite its powerhouse cast, Lions for Lambs feels like a disjointed series of lectures, rather than a sharp narrative, and ends up falling flat. 675 likes. While the exact provenance of this quotation has been lost to history, most experts agree it was written during the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest clashes in modern warfare. Lions for Lambs is a 2007 American war drama film directed by Robert Redford about the connection between a platoon of United States soldiers in Afghanistan, a U.S. senator, a reporter, and a Californian college professor. "[19] Matt Pais of the Chicago Tribune also gave the film two and a half stars, and wrote in summation: "Redford and Streep give it their all, but Cruise is Cruise, and the go-nowhere 'Lions' is more of an imitation of life than a reflection on it. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Whether you watch weekly or want to join in for the big finish, get ready for these big Spring TV and streaming finales. In Afghanistan, a helicopter carrying Arian and Ernest is hit by Taliban insurgents. Ultimately, Irving's version of the story is run without the critical interaction. Lions for Lambs was, to me, a poor attempt at a good idea. She informs her commercially-minded boss of her plans to call out the senator's new strategy for what she feels is a ploy, but is shot down. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. The unit commanders attempt a rescue of the downed soldiers, sending A-10 Warthogs, but the weather, time, and distance interfere. Browse 1,006 lions for lambs premiere arrivals stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Here Robert Redford is not trying to be Oliver Stone. [35], MSNBC reported that Cruise was concerned about the opening weekend results, and quoted a source: "Tom wanted to really hit a home run with his first United Artists movie. (2007). Ernest falls out, and Arian jumps after him. After a drawn-out gunfight, the U.S. soldiers run out of ammunition. A young Irish couple flee to the States, but subsequently struggle to obtain land and prosper freely. It stars Redford, Tom Cruise, and Meryl Streep. He just tells us. Lions for Lambs. Lions for Lambs is an intriguing, unusual picture, as much for the packaging as for the content. Summary. Tom Cruise' character is the politician using the war to further his campaign. They are sizing us up, making sure that when they attack it will be to their advantage. What aspect of the plot is taken from a book about real life events in Afganistan, and what was the name of the book? A young lawyer joins a prestigious law firm only to discover that it has a sinister dark side. The problem is with us, all of us, who do nothing. "[33] In the United Kingdom, Lions for Lambs took in $1.4 million and opened in sixth place. A self-indulgent and vain publishing magnate finds his privileged life upended after a vehicular accident with a resentful lover. Lions for Lambs (2007) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. [15] MSNBC reported that Cruise was worried about how the film would perform, because of how the film industry would view him based on its success or failure at the box office. Roth has her doubts and fears she is being asked to become an instrument of government propaganda. "[27] Writing in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, reviewer William Arnold wrote positively of the segments of the film involving Robert Redford's character: "His character, who hopes to save America one slacker at a time, rings true; and his real-life conviction and his fears for democracy come through. Kill 8 Blackrock Spies. 16+ COMMON SENSE Intense war thriller offers food for thought. to choose the lesser of two evils. I f you’re looking for a liberal, political drama (strictly drama, very little action) with some great actors, then “Lions for Lambs” will fit the bill.. Listen to Lions For Lambs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Mark Isham on Apple Music. "[13] By January 14, 2008, the film's domestic returns were just under $15 million. [39][40] Multiple sources have referred to the film as a "box office bomb", including the San Francisco Chronicle,[41] U.S. News & World Report,[42] Orlando Sentinel,[43] the New York Post,[40] and New York magazine. As the film progresses, Ebert wrote that interest is lost, noting, "When we begin to suspect it's going in circles, our interest flags. Lions for Lambs was a Media and drama good articles nominee, but did not meet the good article criteria at the time. "Lions for Lambs" may treat these two students as if they were heroes; as men of valor; men who fought bravely for Uncle Sam, but in actuality, they're punished for insidiously advancing of the conservative agenda. Given the modest production and marketing budgets we do not need to be a blockbuster hit. [7] The character of Todd Hayes was inspired by Carnahan himself during college. [44] An article in The Daily Telegraph discussed the film among a "slew of new movies" that "have flopped at the box office". L4L meets every Tuesday at 7:00 PM in room 2207 on the second floor of the Student Union. Hayes is watching television with a friend. They all say this, we all know that, when in fact, truth is always the simplest if not the easiest of answers. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, he devotes most of his time to extra-curricular activities like his role as president of his fraternity. Lions For Lambs is a political drama that has three interlocking strands that come together tenuously during the "war on terror" in Afghanistan. "[25][26] The subtitle of the review in the Los Angeles Times was: "As a matter of policy, 'Lions for Lambs' doesn't play. "[26] In a review entitled "Political drama feels more like a lecture" in The Boston Globe, Wesley Morris wrote: "It does not feel good to report that a movie with Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise makes the eyelids droop. It was more about how the industry was going to view him than the movie going public that Tom was worried about. It was released in North America on November 9, 2007, to negative reviews and disappointing box office receipts. "[28] Amy Biancolli of the Houston Chronicle highlighted Redford's direction of the film, commenting that it was not his best film, but it was "his bravest. "[13] Filming began on January 29, 2007,[14] and Redford considered the movie "the tightest schedule I've ever worked with," with barely a year between announcement and release. He provokes the question in a situation that we all seem to have taken sides. 1 at Box Office", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lions_for_Lambs&oldid=1022517945, Films with screenplays by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 May 2021, at 23:32. Three stories told simultaneous in ninety minutes of real time: a Republican Senator who's a presidential hopeful gives an hour-long interview to a skeptical television reporter, detailing a strategy for victory in Afghanistan; two special forces ambushed on an Afghani ridge await rescue as Taliban forces close in; a poli-sci professor at a California college invites a promising student to re-engage. Use the HTML below. Lions for Lambs, hits hard, hits home but doesn't quite hit it out of the park. Film Analysis. They peer at us through spyglasses, watching our every move - waiting. Title Lions for Lambs Year 2007 Director Robert Redford Genre Drama, Thriller, War Interpreted by. Carnahan considered it an awful way to die, and "couldn't get past it fast enough", considering he was too indifferent, "talking so much and not doing a damn thing",[5] and "the same hypocrite that I so can't stand in our country, the kind of people that will flip right past the news to get to Access Hollywood". A young hot-shot stock car driver gets his chance to compete at the top level. Rather than getting captured, Arian helps Ernest stand up, facing the enemies and turning their empty weapons against them, an action which prompts the Taliban to kill them. This film is supposed to be showing war from several angles; specifically, the consequences of war and the reactions to it. Dann M Super Reviewer. "[31][32] The film also opened poorly in Europe, with Variety reporting: "Savage reviews dealt the talky political drama a big blow. "[38] On December 3, 2007, the New York Post reported that the film was "assessed to blow as much as $25 mil", and a report in Variety made the same assessment. I was going to hit my head but i put my hands out and traded lions for lambs by scraping them up instead of getting a concussion. But Lions for Lambs is far worse: dull, inert, schoolteacherly, desperately self-conscious in its exposition of the issues - and with hogwhimperingly … Once you select Rent you'll have 14 days to start watching the movie and 48 hours to finish it. View production, box office, & company info. A dramatization of the July 20, 1944 assassination and political coup plot by desperate renegade German Army officers against Adolf Hitler during World War II. Was this review helpful to you? Boasting Cruise, Streep and Redford on its poster, it has all … "[24] The New York Times also mentioned the amount of dialogue in the film, writing: "It's a long conversation, more soporific than Socratic, and brimming with parental chiding, generational conflict and invocations of Vietnam," and the Los Angeles Times described the lecturing in the film as "dull and self-satisfied. When my brakes went out i was going to hit the bus, but i traded lions for lambs when i ran over the guy on the bike instead. Lions for Lambs is a 2007 American war drama film directed by Robert Redford about the connection between a platoon of United States soldiers in Afghanistan, a U.S. senator, a reporter, and a Californian college professor. Injuries sustained by two Army rangers behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman, a journalist and a professor. Full Review. A Chicago teenager is looking for fun at home while his parents are away, but the situation quickly gets out of hand. I fear more the army of Lambs who have a Lion to lead them. Lions for the Lamb. Blackrock Spy slain (8) The invading orcs aren't fools. But Lions for Lambs is not merely a silly, shallow movie about the war: Its ambitions are broader and more scattered. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., a charismatic Republican presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving, has invited liberal TV journalist Janine Roth to his office to announce a new war strategy in Afghanistan: the use of small units to seize strategic positions in the mountains before the Taliban can occupy them. Whether Roth gave in and toed the company line or quit her job is not clear. Meryl Streep is terrific interviewing an inedited Tom Cruise - All the recent gossip about Cruise made his Senator even more sinister. An ambitious young football star is trapped in a dying mill town--unless his gridiron skills can win him a way out. Lions for Lambs: 2007: 88: R: Ending: Three stories that don't really intersect at all: Janine is a prize winning journalist who is granted an audience with Senator Irving. [34] On November 28, 2007, The Wall Street Journal reported that "Lions for Lambs has performed so poorly that it may not make back its $35 million investment. It stars Redford, Tom Cruise, and Meryl Streep. Two students at a West Coast university, Arian and Ernest, at the urging of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley, attempt to do something important with their lives. [34] Overall, the film pulled in a total of $10.3 million in markets in its opening weekend outside the United States, and Reuters noted "Tom Cruise's 'Lambs' got slaughtered at the worldwide box office. Lions for Lambs explores some controversial topics, but its politics get in the way. [6], Lions for Lambs is the first film under Cruise's and Wagner's new venture with film studio United Artists. Written by It was the first Cruise/Wagner Productions film since the company joined with United Artists subsequent to Cruise's falling out with Paramount Pictures in 2006. [45] The film ultimately grossed $63 million worldwide, which included $15 million for its domestic gross and $48 million internationally. [31] This was one of Cruise's worst wide opener box office takes since The Color of Money, and Catherine Elsworth of The Daily Telegraph wrote that this result "puts it on course to be Cruise's lowest-grossing movie of all time. A young woman gets mixed up with a disgraced spy who is trying to clear his name. [17] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade C on scale of A to F.[18], Film critic Roger Ebert gave it two and a half stars, noting that at the beginning of the film the viewer is "under the delusion that it's going somewhere." [33] The film debuted at the number six spot in Germany, and number five in Brazil. Rated R for some war violence and language, Disney’s ‘Stargirl’ Sequel Adds Al Madrigal, Sarayu Blue, Chris Williams & Nija Okoro, Official Trailer for Action Movie 'Mosul' Produced by Russo Brothers, Leslie A. Pope Dies: Oscar-Nominated ‘Seabiscuit’ Set Decorator Was 65, Tom Cruise supporting or villainous Characters. An Irish newspaper claimed that "The name of the film is derived from a remark made by a German officer during World War I, comparing British soldiers' bravery with the calculated criminality of their commanders". "[37], International experts said that the film did not attract its core audience, and that the box office results were due to a failure of the film to cross over to the general public. Ernest's leg is badly wounded, and he suffers a compound fracture, rendering him immobile as the Taliban arrive. The words that become a catch phrase tend to confuse rather than clarify. [15], Lions for Lambs holds a 27% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 185 reviews, with a weighted average of 4.80/10. After a journalist discovers his identity, a former Weather Underground activist goes on the run. I'm not sure that's what "Lions for Lambs" intends to demonstrate, but it does, exhaustingly. Useful new things to be said about the debacle in Iraq are in very short supply. Well done! Matthew Michael Carnahan was inspired to write the script when, while channel surfing trying to find a USC Trojans football game, he saw a news report about a Humvee that had flipped into an Iraqi river, drowning about five U.S. soldiers. [6] He first considered turning it into a stage play, but the military scenes, in particular the helicopter ones, made him turn it into a film screenplay. Decisions press upon the reporter, the student, and the soldiers. The Senator is trying to sell Janine on the government's latest military plan to invade Afghanistan. White House - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. "[20] A USA Today review gave the film two and a half stars as well, in a negative review titled: "As entertainment, 'Lions' whimpers rather than roars. The main theme of Lions for Lambs is that, contrary to what it is being commonly assumed, many top-ranking politicians in America, who define the essence of the country’s foreign policies, refuse to learn the lessons of history, which in turn results in the needless deaths of American soldiers, stationed abroad. 1 Objectives 2 Description 3 Completion 4 Rewards 5 Progression 6 Patch changes 7 External links Kill 8 Blackrock Spies30, 38. Dr. Malley also attempts to reach talented and privileged, but disaffected, student Todd Hayes, who is not at all like Arian and Ernest. Two soldiers were killed and three wounded when their unit was struck by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. [32] The Associated Press called the film a "box-office clunker". Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? They make the bold decision to commission in the army to fight in Afghanistan after graduating from college. The senator hopes that Roth's positive coverage will help convince the public that the plan is sound. [44] New York magazine called the film "a critical flop and a box-office bomb". "[22] The Guardian was more critical, giving the film only one star, and calling it "a muddled and pompous film about America's war on terror. They are sizing us up, making sure that when they attack it will be to their advantage. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family {{familyColorButtonText(colorFamily.name)}} Title: Redford, the all American guy, guides according his own coordinates but doesn't preach. [3], https://catalog.afi.com/Film/64364-LIONS-FOR-LAMBS?sid=dbc26e19-0303-4bf8-9c56-d298c3de489b&sr=4.0360637&cp=1&pos=0, "Cruise rolls out 'Lions for Lambs': Film puts stars on frontlines of political debate", "Matthew Michael Carnahan Explains Lions for Lambs Agenda", "The Week in Arts: Redford's sheepish response", "What's the significance of the title 'Lions for Lambs'? Lions for Lambs was, to me, a poor attempt at a good idea. ", "Cruise film "Lions" a lamb at foreign box office", "United Artists' "Lions for Lambs" to Be Released Worldwide by MGM", "Lions for Lambs: Finally, someone is having a basic conversation about American foreign policy! Stream songs including "Lions For Lambs Main Titles", "The … A small-town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Malley tests him by offering a choice between a respectable grade of 'B' in the class with no additional work required or a final opportunity to re-engage with the material of the class and "do something." Directed by Robert Redford. A formidable trio of acting talent in the guise of Robert Redford,Tom Cruise and the magnetic Meryl Streep this has all the elements for an Oscar baiting film. "[21] The New York Post gave the film one and a half stars, and did not recommend it, writing: "if you want to be bored by pompous-assery, 'Meet the Press' is free. "[21] Reviewer Claudia Puig commented, "Though characters make some strong points, the film feels preachy and falls flat as entertainment. Military cadets take extreme measures to ensure the future of their academy when its existence is threatened by local condo developers. It was the first Cruise/Wagner Productions film since the company joined with United Artists subsequent to Cruise's falling out with Paramount Pictures in 2006.[4]. [8] Redford considered that the movie's focus was for audiences "to be entertained in a way that made them think."[6]. Essentially, if I have this right, we should never have invaded Iraq, but now that we're there, (1) we can't very well leave, and (2) we can't very well stay, so (3) the answer is, stay while in the process of leaving. [9] While several reviewers in the UK have criticized the film for misquoting the commonly used phrase of "lions led by donkeys",[10][11] in an article written for The Times on the origin of the title, Brian Dimuccio and Dino Vindeni claimed that: One such composition included the observation, 'Nowhere have I seen such Lions led by such Lambs.' But that's what 'Lions for Lambs' does. Lions for Lambs begins after two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian and Ernest, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley, and attempt to do something important with their lives.
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