The Men Who Stare at Goats
So, let me get this straight. In the early ’80s, a traumatized Vietnam war vet named Bill Django (Jeff Bridges) was in charge of a special ops group known as the New Earth Army, which was dedicated to bringing war to an end through New Age and psychic tactics that make such soldiers “Jedi,” in a way.
This is a story Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) stumbles upon while at an Ann Arbor newspaper. At the time he comes across it, his life is at a low point. Despite the oncoming war in Iraq (the film takes place in 2003), there’s not much to report on the home front. Plus, his wife is in love with his editor.
So what does he do? He goes to the Middle East, looking to get into Iraq. However, he comes across something even, well, stranger. He comes across Lyn Cassady (George Clooney). Turns out he was the best of Django’s “Jedi warriors.” And boy does he have a story to share…
The film is inspired by the book by Jon Ronson, and yes, there’s a bit of “The Manchurian Candidate” at work in this, and maybe a hint of “Dr. Strangelove.” But don’t think this thing can match up with those masterpieces- as smart as the script by Peter Straughan is, and as assured as the direction of Clooney’s producing partner Grant Heslov is, the result is, well, a little too silly to hit classic status. Not that that stopped Robert Altman’s “M.A.S.H.,” but anyway.
Where this film hits gold is in the performances. All of the talk of Jedis and such works partly because of McGregor’s Obi-Wan experience; yeah, it’d be funny regardless, but the smirk on Ewan’s face at all those references is priceless as he is initiated into the ways of American superspy-dom. Clooney keeps getting better and better- his character’s yearning for another adventure, and complete devotion to what he’s talking about is funny and wonderful. He has continued to develop into one of our best stars today, whether it’s his unorthodox performance here, his Oscar-nominated turns in “Michael Clayton” and “Syriana,” or star turns in the “Ocean” movies. As Larry Hooper, a New Earth soldier jealous of Lyn’s mastery of the ways of this particular Force, Kevin Spacey relishes in offbeat villainy and snarkiness.
But the performance people will enjoy the most might just be Jeff Bridges’ as Django. Sure, he’s basically playing a military version of “The Dude,” but the character’s conviction and soulful love for his methods play out through an inevitable end, as Bob gives him one more chance to teach another worthy pupil to use their gifts for good instead of evil.
Is any of this actually true? The book is supposedly non-fiction, but I’m not so sure. I will say this much- it’s certainly one of those ideas that feels true at the least, doesn’t it?
