Patrick Sun

Syriana - quick review

I liked how Gaghan was able to weave seemingly unrelated characters threads in this film, which depicts how powerful forces like the oil industry, political factions of different countries, intelligence agencies, and terrorists converge, to show that even in ever-changing political/economic climates, the resultant mixture in flux may seem like oil and water, but it still provides economic and political benefit to the players, but not without getting their hands dirty or producing undesirable by-products.

It's a very subdued film, not much background music to intrude on the events as they unfold, and while it seems calm on the surface of things, it's constantly boiling underneath the calm facade.

I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

Paul_Scott

i was given a pass to this for the press screening here the other night, but never went.
i did want to see it, but by the time the evening rolled around, the thought of going to a movie that would be very dense and require a lot of careful attention all to tell me something i already know (that everything related to oil is intertwined and corrupted in some form or fashion) just didn't seem that appealing.


Ebert gave it 4 stars, and his review did perk up my interest a little, but i will still have to overcome a creeping lethargy to go out and see this.
most likely, i'll just wait until it hits dvd.

Chad R

It is a dense film that requires careful attention, but honestly you're not rewarded for it all that much. Whereas all of the performances are good, none are stellar. Whereas the script is smart, it's not particularly sharp. And by the end, you've been told a very complex story which reaches conclusions that's pretty well-known. There's nothing revelatory about it.

It's like if all of the elements (acting, directing, editing) had their volume turned up one notch, it would be great. As it is, I'd say a grade of B.

"If you write a story about a soldier going AWOL and kidnapping a pregnant woman and finally shooting her in the head, it's called searingly realistic, even though it's never happened in the history of mankind. Whereas if you write about two people falling in love, which happens about a million times a day all over the world, for some reason or another, you're accused of writing something unrealistic and sentimental."
-Richard Curtis, Screenwriter and Director

Patrick Sun

This is a story that could have easily spiralled out of control in the hands of lesser talent. There is a certain amount of detachment built into the script, so the viewer is less apt to get too emotionally involved.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

Dave Hahn

Charlie Rose devoted his entire PBS show last night to an interview of Stephen Gaghan. It was simply fascinating. This guy did some serious research for this film. He literally met with several sheiks and other Middle East leaders, as well as CIA operatives, American and European oil traders, congressmen and senators, powerful DC lawyers, and top level oilmen. The guy even had a clandestine meeting with the head of Hezbollah in Beirut.

From watching the interview, all the characters in the film are either based on actual figures or are composite characters of the real thing. He said he had to tone down the dialogue and plot because nobody would believe the way the actual people he charactorized spoke and acted. He said audiences would think it was "over the top" if he used actual conversations in the script.

A very interesting man and writer. I can't wait to see this film.

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Jean Louise, Jean Louise stand up; Your father's passing.
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My DVD Collection

Carlo Medina

Am finishing up the autobiography "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" [highly recommended read] so I'm really looking forward to this movie.

Mike.P

I was a bit disappointed by this - I felt it was always just a few steps from being something great. It was entertaining, but I really wish I left with a more satisfied feeling.

As it stands, a B- in my book. Add in some clarification/character development in some parts, cut some needless parts at other times, and it can easily be a solid B+ or better.

Rob Willey

I agree with the consensus here. Great parts that don't add up to more than the sum of those parts. But I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Rob

"That suits me down to the ground."

Craig S

Like Rob, I'm in general agreement with most here. It seems the elements were all in place for a great film, but in the end it was "merely" very good. I would still strongly recommend it to all viewers who don't mind occasionally NOT checking their brains at the door of the theater.

Like Dave, I caught the Charlie Rose show with Gaghan last week. Wow! The unexpurgated story of his research might make a better film than Syriana turned out to be. At the very least I hope he writes a book on the experience one day.

BTW, for those who saw the Rose show, how old would you say Gaghan looked to be? I was shocked at how young he looked, and would have put him between 25 and 30. Turns out he's

Jack Briggs

A ? Craig,

Kyle_D

I really liked this a lot, particularly how it didn't simplify the problems in the middle east to something easily digestible by audiences. Everyone gets their fair share of blame in this and if the movie feels messy, well, the situation it depicts is messy. It might not pack a massive emotional sucker-punch, though



It sure is smarter and more ambitious than most tripe out there, and it kept me involved throughout. Actually, I was pretty fascinated by it and the more I put together the pieces of the plot in my head, the more I like it.

Overall, I'd give it an A-