George Clooney is on a roll. A mere month after the brilliant "Good Night and Good Luck," the actor stars alongside another strong ensemble cast in the compelling political thriller "Syriana."
Central to "Syriana" is the oil industry and its role in the world's politics and economy. It also offers a glimpse at the roots of terrorism in the Middle East.
Those looking for the pure entertainment of a summer movie will likely not get the same enjoyment out of "Syriana" as movie watchers hoping for a bit of intellectualism with their popcorn. The film is meant to be thought provoking and will likely take more effort to understand than a film like "Yours, Mine & Ours."
Writer and director Stephan Gaghan previously wrote the screenplay to the Academy Award-winning "Traffic," and his latest film shares a similar narrative style. The action is divided into multiple, mostly separate storylines that offer different perspectives of the energy business. The method is effective but sometimes limiting.
In "Syriana," middle-aged CIA operative Bob Barnes (George Clooney) makes a harsh realization about the work he's been doing, a young oil broker (Matt Damon) partners with a Middle-Eastern prince in the wake of a family disaster, a corporate lawyer (Jeffrey Wright) exposes corruption in order to secure a merger between two big oil companies, and a Pakistani teenager (Mazhar Munir) is lured into a terrorist organization.
The stories are all interesting in their own ways, but Clooney's is the most compelling. A far cry from the pretty boy roles the actor usually plays, disheveled Bob Barnes is perhaps the most convincing and sympathetic of the movie's characters. Clooney took a pay cut to play the character, and his devotion to the film shows.
Munir's subplot is equally enlightening in its depiction of the poor economy in the Gulf and how youths can be led astray into a world of violence. Shahid Ahmed is endearing as the boy's father, a man who still dreams of Pakistan's snowy Alps.
Wright, considered by many to be one of cinema's most underrated actors, puts in a strong performance as the lawyer who must make a successful merger between two oil giants, but his business-oriented story does not allow enough time for proper character development. It's interesting to watch what he does, but it's never quite clear where he's personally coming from or what makes him tick.
Damon is also good, but his story is the weakest. The stress that leads to the dissolution of his character's family is believable, but the development of this subplot feels a bit forced, driven by plot points like Damon selecting the "Ignore" option when his wife calls.
The look and sound of "Syriana" is excellent. Gaghan filmed the movie in locations all around the world, and the photography is worthy of National Geographic. The cinematography is excellent and several images will stick in one's mind long after the credits have rolled. The soundtrack is often restrained to a few bass tones, but this minimalism is very effective in enhancing tension and suspense.
"Syriana" is a smart, well-made thriller with a lot to say. Those who don't mind expending a little brainpower will find their experience well worth the price of admission.
