"The Men Who Stare At Goats"

Rating: 8/10 (1 March 2010)

A film like this is hard to figure out. It is undoubtedly clever and funny, but near the opening of the film, a line appears on the screen reading, "More of this is true than you would believe." It really makes the viewer question how much of what one is watching is the truth throughout the film. While doing research on the film, I found out a surprising amount of the facts presented in the film are true. Yes, there are psychic spies, and yes, there is a so called "Hippie Army" division of the military. The plot of the story, however, is false. I was not disappointed when I found this out. The film works much better as a dramatization than a retelling of these odd events. Everyone in the film is obviously having a great time in their roles. Clooney, in particular, carries the film with his portrayal of Lyn. He always has a focused gaze on whatever he does, and a brilliant speaking tone, making the most outrageous points somewhat believable. Bridges gives a notable performance as well, almost reprising his role as the iconic character "The Dude" from the 1998 film "The Big Lebowski." The only exception is that he has somehow been stuck into the head of a military movement, passing out flowers and telling his troops to "let the dance out." The film's cast is superb. They all understand the tone of the film and know how to deliver the material in the most effective way.