When we were choosing a movie to see on New Year's Day, I said (smugly) to my wife that if we were to see "Syriana" at the suburban multiplex 14, we would have the theater to ourselves. Much to my surprise, the 7 PM showing was nearly sold-out, and we had to find our seats along with other adults desperate for an intelligent offering. The movie was never less than fascinating, and admirable for its exploration of serious (but not necessarily ticket-selling) themes. There was a book written in the 1950s titled "The Nature of the Non-Western World", and I couldn't get the title out of my mind when I watched this film. How rare is it that we see characters living their lives not as stereotypical America- haters but as complex, yearning people who are both fascinated and troubled by Western culture.
This is a remarkable, difficult, rewarding film. I thought that the golden age of smart, socially-involved movies were gone. There appears to be some hope.
This is a remarkable, difficult, rewarding film. I thought that the golden age of smart, socially-involved movies were gone. There appears to be some hope.
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