Lions for Lambs
Lions for Lambs Image
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Metascore
47 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
4.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 84 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Tom Cruise
  • Summary: The story begins after Arian and Ernest, two determined students at a West Coast university, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor Dr. Malley and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington DC, charismatic presidential hopeful Senator Jasper Irving is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist that may affect Arian and Ernest's fates. As arguments, memories, and bullets fly, the three stories are woven even more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on one another and the world. (United Artists)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 36
  3. Negative: 4 out of 36
  1. Empire
    Reviewed by: Helen O'Hara
    80
    A smart, accessible, surprisingly balanced look at our dysfunctional world. Compelling stuff.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    50
    This is the sort of film where a character says “Here we are, having a high-minded debate ...” and you wonder if countless moviegoers will be rolling their eyes in unison.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Bennett
    50
    Politicians, the media, educators, military commanders and a docile public all come under fire in a well-made movie that offers no answers but raises many important questions.
  4. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    38
    I went to a wartime thriller, but then a Poli Sci 101 seminar broke out.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 49
  3. Negative: 21 out of 49
  1. Paul
    10
    A truly intelligent film, will have you thinking long after the film has finished.
  2. Abubrad
    8
    This movie accomplished just what it set out to accomplish despite all the criticism from mindless critics who just want to be entertained. I showed it to my 18-year old who is as apathetic as they come and like his peers look to be entertained by movies. He was riveted to it and his response at the end? - "It was thought-provoking".… Expand
  3. grandpajoe6191
    5
    "Lions for Lambs" is very smart considering the words it carefully chooses with a strong cast, but in the end it fails to give its disjointed lecture and confuses us whether we should fight for the US and die in a cold mountain shot with AK-47s by the Taliban or live our daily life.… Expand
  4. GuyM.
    4
    I thought it ended too soon. The scenes with Robert Redford were the most appealing to me. Tom Cruises' debut was one scene cut many times and felt like it was filmed just over two days. Was it?… Expand

See all 49 User Reviews

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