SYRIANA — ** 1/2 — George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright; featuring English subtitles for some Arabic dialects; rated R (violence, profanity, torture, brief gore, brief drugs).
In "Traffic," screenwriter Stephen Gaghan took complex issues stemming from the drug trade and made them seem simpler. He also turned the film into a compelling thriller, with ample help from director Steven Soderbergh and an all-star cast.
Gaghan's latest, "Syriana," which he also directed, features yet another star-laden cast. With help from them, he attempts the daunting task of trying to make sense of oil politics and policy, the legalities of corporate maneuvering, CIA and U.S. government involvement in the Middle East, and other, similarly weighty topics.
Though it draws on journalist Robert Baer's book "See No Evil" for inspiration, the resulting dramatic thriller isn't as well-focused as "Traffic," and it's definitely more heavy-handed and brazen with its political leanings. Also, not all of the stories on display here are as relevant or interesting as others.
The film's central figure in this ensemble piece is Bob Dalton (George Clooney), a CIA agent who finds himself becoming a scapegoat after a botched Middle East arms deal — a missile ends up in the wrong hands, thanks to bad planning.
Also caught up in Middle Eastern intrigue is energy analyst Bryan Woodman (Matt Damon), whose allegiances to his country, his company and his family are tested when he's given the chance to become an adviser to a prince (Alexander Siddig).
Then there's Bennett Holiday (Jeffrey Wright), a lawyer whose firm is representing two oil companies attempting a merger. He has found evidence to suggest there's something illegal — or at least unethical — going on there.
Most or all of these men are morally shady characters, and that the cast can make them likable is a near miracle. Clooney, who put on weight and a beard for the part, is the standout here.
The supporting cast includes veteran character actors Chris Cooper, Tim Blake Nelson, Robert Foxworth and Christopher Plummer, who are all solid as usual. But Amanda Peet seems lost in a go-nowhere role as Bryan's wife.
Director Gaghan clearly picked up a few things from his mentor, Soderbergh, who produced this film. "Syriana" does feature a look and a style that are similar to "Traffic," including hand-held, digital video photography.
"Syriana" is rated R for some strong scenes of violence (missile attacks, beatings, some explosive mayhem), occasional use of strong sexual profanity, a scene of torture, some brief gore, and some brief drug content (references to drug use). Running time: 126 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com