Syriana (DVD, 2006, Widescreen)

the only reason the film claims to be based on actual events is so they don't have to pay script writers for copyright. there really is no coherent story here or documentation of real people. News flash, the chinese are looking for oil, duh. the king makers in the middle east are oil companies and the CIA, more duh. hezbollah runs beirut, where have you been? it is hard to feel sympathetic for any of the characterizations. everytime you get ready for a real gut check, the story wimps out.

i liked the acting performance uniformly of the entire cast, absolutely no weak link here. it is really hard to classify the genre, certainly not documentary, maybe it is a fairy tale for modern man, complete with ogres, dragons, princes and jousting. or just one more action-adventure heroically searching for a plot. just as you think George Clooney's character is the glue that puts this mess in perspective, the story runs on another 2 reels after his death. Interestingly Clooney was awarded 2005 oscar for role as best supporting actor. Since he has lead billing, exactly who was he supporting?

The theatrical values are well done by Warner Bros. no universal "back lot" shooting, convincing sets well photographed. an interesting study for students of Farsi and arabic, fortunately there is abundent use of sub-titles. Despite all the correct technique and acting, this still has to be rated a subpar movie. it just doesn't deliver on the premise, purhaps competing with real news is beyond the scope of hollywood.