Amazon.com: Syriana is an oil-based soap opera set against the world of global oil cartels. It is to the oil industry as Traffic was to the drug trade (no surprise, since writer/director Stephen Gaghan wrote the screenplay to Traffic): a sprawling attempt to portray the vast political, business, social, and personal implications of a societal addiction, in this case, oil. A major merger between two of the world’s largest oil companies reveals ethical dilemmas for the lawyer charged with making the deal (Jeffrey Wright), and major global implications beyond the obvious; a CIA operative (George Clooney) discovers the truth about his work, and the people he works for; a young oil broker (Matt Damon) encounters personal tragedy, then partners with an idealistic Gulf prince (Alexander Siddig) attempting to build a new economy for his people, only to find he’s opposed by powers far beyond his control. Meanwhile, disenfranchised Pakistani youths are lured into terrorism by a radical Islamic cleric. And that’s just the start. As in Traffic, in one way or another all of the characters’ fates are tied to each other, whether they realize it or not, though the connections are sometimes tenuous. While Syriana is basically a good film with timely resonance, it can’t quite seem to measure up to Gaghan’s ambitious vision and it very nearly collapses under the weight of its many storylines. Fortunately they are resolved skillfully enough to keep the film from going under in the end. To some viewers, Syriana will seem like an unfocused and over-loaded film that goes, all at once, everywhere and nowhere. Others will find it to be an important work earnestly exploring major issues. In either case, it’s a film that deserves to be taken seriously, and it’s likely to be one that will be talked about for a long time to come. --Dan Vancini
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Refreshing technique used in story telling Syriana is a great movie about what goes on behind the scenes in the corporate/political world and it shows how everyone, politician, military, intelligence, royalty, blue collar worker, media...is connected somehow.
I watched this movie 4 times and the more I watched it, the more "clues" I gathered. This really isn't a movie where you can watch once and forget about it. This is NOT an action thriller.
The movie was made in a collarge way to show how the world is a complex web of simultaneous activity. Each "piece" is held together by a well-known actor: Clooney (CIA scenes), Damon (analysis & the "good" royalty), Cooper (corporate), Language (desperate workers) etc... Without them, it would be impossible to navigate through the movie.
Anyway, this movie is not for rental. Buy it, watch it 3 or 4 times and think about it.
awful, just awful This is an overly long, preachy waste of time. Which is too bad as its based on a book that is slightly better. The choice to change the movie to better reflect the liberal politics was a poor one. I found this movie to be so awful that I was more than happy to spend the time writing the director to get my money back (I never received my money back, or a response). I try to keep an open mind but sitting through this movie was probably the worse hour and a half of my life.
scary but Stooped first Iran actress to play american movie & got trouble because she dident ask her county to star in it. now she is not allowed to leave her counry. Story of this movie is about military oil. Mat damen looses his son in a dispute over oil. I herd of this movie & wanted to see it. but watching to the midle I almost dident I would watch the rest. u think Saving Private Ryan is scary well think again buster. some might be able to handel this movie but dont be dweller after u see this movie. this movie will put u on barbwire. when im ready to finish this movie I will.
Under rated film Nails it. They nailed it here. Behind the facade of polite manners, crisply ironed suits, dark restaurants, and spotless white robes, those in power know the real story. This is about the ruthless pursuit of power, the people who know the score, how they manipulate almost everyone else, and the consequences.
Intelligent and well considered. This is the first time I'd heard Mossedeq mentioned on TV, Radio or Movies despite the fact that Mossedeq is the pivotal character in the struggle for oil in the Middle East.
As others have pointed out, the story is complex and hard to follow, just like real life.
As Clooney points out, the best character actors in Hollywood all wanted to be in this film, and they picked the best, so although few characters are well developed, they are all VERY believable. The lust for power, bubbles palpably under the surface of most of them, and the Faustian bargains they knowingly make are ugly.
If this movie doesn't scare you and make you fear for your children nothing will.
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