Syriana **** (2005, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Amanda Peet) – Classic Movie Review 709

Writer-director Stephen Gaghan’s ambitious, super-charged 2005 political thriller exposes just how far people will go to control oil rights in the Middle East.

A plump and bearded George Clooney gives an electric performance as Bob Barnes, a veteran CIA agent left to fry when a contract turns bad and he loses a missile. For this brilliant turn, Clooney won the 2006 Best Supporting Actor Oscar, as well as Golden Globe. Clooney ate lots of pasta and gained 35 pounds and shaved his hairline to play Barnes.

Matt Damon, less showy but almost just as effective, co-stars as Bryan Woodman, an oil broker seeking the main chance in The Gulf.

Gaghan, the Oscar-winning writer of Traffic, spins an intricate web of scary characters and nerve-jangling scenes as the complex, twisty plot powers on to a shattering climax.

A particularly distinguished cast includes Christopher Plummer, Jeffrey Wright, Chris Cooper and Amanda Peet as Damon’s wife, Julie.

Gaghan’s Best Original Screenplay was Oscar nominated, though it’s inspired on the book by Robert Baer. Alexandre Desplat’s fine score was Golden Globe nominated.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 709

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com