The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

director: Grant Heslov

writers: Peter Straughan

starring: George Clooney, Ewan Mcgregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges

genre: Comedy

What kind of film could this be with a title that has goats in it? Well its a very smart and philisopical comedy, that pokes fun at various people and institutions that are meant to be so serious. It's satire is well directed and fun. The film can feel a little a light on material, but it still proves to be a fun idea with a great cast.

Semi-based on the book of the same name. The film goes a little bit further and tells a fictional story to further the satire and jokes to the audience with all the serious material that could be considered odd, even though some are acuatly true. The story is told threw the eyes of a young reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) who's looking for meaning from his life. His job nor his wife is giving him that. But in the hope to impress her and make something of himself he goes to report the Iraq War. There he happens to meet Lyn Cassidy (George Clooney). From this meeting he remembers of the old interview that he had done. Of the tale of the men who stare at goats. As fake but interesting tale that was to him, he wont let this golden chance go lost. From there he finds out the whole story of this hippie militiray group, "the jedi" and where his destiny is to lead him.

Just seeing the trailer you get a good idea of what kind of film this is. Director Grant Heslov knew what he needed to make this quirky film sell to audiences. Star power. With the likes of Clooney and just Spacey you know there is talent. Also the film seems like something the Coen brothers would have done. With the humor being very similar to theirs. Also the coincedence of Clooney and Bridges being in the film and being frequenct collaboraters of the Coens.

Id advise anybody in the mood for some silly humor and satire to see the Goats film. I know already many people who were quite surprised by how much they enjoyed the film. The Men Who Stare at Goats did come out of left field with its sudden release date and very small marketing campaign but did manage with its Coenisc humor and great cast to make friends and I have a good time.

Personal Rating:

Review by Paul