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THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS Send This Review to a Friend
Of all the films that deal with warfare, “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” directed by Grant Heslov from a screenplay by Peter Straughan based on Jon Ronson’s book, competes in the lunacy department. Shown at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival prior to its commercial release, it deals with a reporter, Ewan McGregor as Bob Wilton, looking for his big break by running down a story about a U.S. Army unit developing a rare psychological skill of being able to control the enemy with the mind.
It’s tall tale time, with George Clooney as Lyn Cassady, who is supposed to have this power, and Jeff Bridges as Bill Django, the founder of the top-secret program. Kevin Spacey plays Larry Hooper, who runs a training camp that rivals Django’s forces. The set-up provides the plot action, and the mid-boggling claims provide the nuttiness that permeates the adventure, both physical and mental.
The well-advertised scene of Clooney staring at a goat that falls over, apparently dead, captures the concept of mind control over enemy soldiers in a new method of combat. There are some moments as funny as they are outlandish, but basically, the film is a labored effort at military comedy, with a war-is-insane message implied. The gang works awfully hard for minimal comedic results. An Overture Films release.
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