We saw Syriana last night. I liked it more when I left the theater than I do now.

I thought the acting was good. I found the narrative less bewildering than the reviews prepared me for. It came together better at the end than I expected. But it was surprisingly didactic given that it’s based on true incidents. The screenwriter seems to have invented characters in order to fill particular roles: Conscientious Arab Prince, Dissolute Arab Prince, Young Moslem ready to be molded into a terrorist, Hardened CIA Operative who speaks the truth, Slimy Corporate CEO, etc.

Too bad the character writing wasn’t just a little bit better. [Tags: syriana movies]

Categories: Uncategorized dw