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Syriana (2005)
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A Strong Voice of Outrage
In these times of political crisis, it is frustrating to have our cinema turn a blind eye to the tragedies taking place. Steven Gaghan is the one filmmaker who refuses to stay quiet. As with 'Traffic', which he wrote and Steven Soderbergh directed, Gaghan focuses on the uncomfortable reality of the climate. The story is complex, as it follows a variety of different characters who are all connected by the struggle for control over Middle Eastern oil. From the investigative lawyer (Jeffrey Wright) who is trying to clear the way for major oil to merge into super-major oil, through the family man/oil expert analyst (Matt Damon) who becomes personally entangled with a royal family, to the agent (George Clooney) who is trying to uncover the truth about those who may be too close to him.
Gaghan learned much of his technique from Soderbergh ('Erin Brokovich', 'sex, lies and videotape') and it is apparent that as skilled as he is with words, he has still some time to go before his own voice becomes as unique as his former colleague. Yet the quick-paced style does suit the subject matter, though I would have appreciated some new technical ideas.
As with 'Traffic' this film follows the technical as well as personal conflict the issue affects. It is at times confusing, but always gripping and stirringly tragic. A film that stands out heads and tails above the rest because of its solo voice from within the capitalist struggle.
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