Hollywood's vicious take on America

THE WASHINGTON POST via The Austin American-Statesman. ^ | March 04, 2006 | Charles Krauthammer

[neverdem]

Nothing tells you more about Hollywood than what it chooses to honor. Nominated for best foreign film is "Paradise Now," a sympathetic portrayal of two suicide bombers. Nominated for best picture is "Munich," a sympathetic portrayal of yesterday's fashion in barbarism: homicide terrorism.

But until you see "Syriana," nominated for best screenplay (and George Clooney, for best supporting actor) you have no idea how self-flagellation and self-loathing pass for complexity and moral seriousness in Hollywood.

"Syriana's" script has, of course, the classic liberal tropes such as this stage direction: "The Deputy National Security Advisor, MARILYN RICHARDS, 40's, sculpted hair, with the soul of a 70-year-old white, Republican male, is in charge" (Page 21). Or this piece of over-the-top, Gordon Gekko Republican-speak, placed in the mouth of a Texas oilman: "Corruption is our protection. Corruption is what keeps us safe and warm. . . . Corruption . . . is how we win" (Page 93).

But that's run-of-the-mill Hollywood. The true distinction of "Syriana's" script is the near-incomprehensible plot — a muddled mix of story lines about a corrupt Kazakhstan oil deal, a succession struggle in an oil-rich Arab kingdom and a giant Texas oil company that pulls the strings at the CIA and, naturally, everywhere else — amid which, only two things are absolutely clear and coherent: the movie's one political hero and one pure soul.

The political hero is the Arab prince who wants to end corruption, inequality and oppression in his country. As he tells his tribal elders, he intends to modernize his country by bringing the rule of law, market efficiency, women's rights and democracy.

What do you think happens to him? He, his beautiful wife and beautiful children are murdered, incinerated, by a remote-controlled missile, fired from CIA headquarters in Langley, no less — at the...

[visualops]

I'd never bothered to find out the storyline of Syriana, the commercials were enough to tell me it was a pile of anti-American liberal tripe. I had no idea it was that bad. The Americans that make these types of movies, scare me almost as much as the islamofascists.

[advance_copy]

Haven't (won't) see "Syriana" -- but if what Krauthammer describes is true, the movie is pro-terrorist propaganda. The 1st Amendment does not protect a right to give aid and comfort to our enemies. Hollywood hates America.

[tsmith130]

A real juxtaposition to this is Oliver North's War stories show tonight, 'Hollywood Goes to War'. He's highlighting all the hollywood stars that fought in WWII. Clift Robertson, Tony Curtis, Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, and many others. My how times have changed!

[BW2221]

I'm just glad Clooney's old man got defeated for congress in Kentucky, although he isn't nearly as far-left as George. But then, he never lived in Hollywood.

[Ninian Dryhope]

I learned a long time ago that Hollywood sucks. The best revenge is simply to ignore them and their product. That way I do not become annoyed at being exposed to their tripe and they do not get any of my money.

[Shermy]

Another point - in the book it's based on the author plotted to kill Saddam. The movie changes it to killing a democratic Arab leader.

[adorno]

The Americans that make these types of movies, scare me almost as much as the islamofascists.

Whre is Joe McCarthy when we need him?

[WestTexasWend]

Happily, this dreck didn't make a dime in the US ($50m to produce, $49.452M in sales) and it's only made $10m overseas.

http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=syriana.htm

[Migraine]

Hey, Krauthammer: "Nice one"!

[ScreamingFist]

Hollywood? Who gives a crap what they think? Insignificant, dysfunctional actors and their enablers.....LOL. Keep it up hollywood......please.

[Doctor Raoul]

Looking at George Clooney on the trailers, Ifigured it was "The Paul Krugman Story"....boy meets boy....boy falls in love with boy...boy get no-show job at Enron...

Is it just me or do Clooney look like a Krugman Klone in that movie?

[Vasilli22]

Yep, and Clooney just one best supporting actor for his role in Syriana. It's going to be a liberal lick-fest at the acadamy awards tonight!

[Vasilli22]

one=won. sorry.

[The Worthless Miracle]

I'm watching the oscars- you are right... Jon Stewart just mocked the Iraqis who pulled the statue of Saddam down... Disgusting. (He mpointed to a giant oscar statue and asked if they all got together and pulled it down, if democracy would flourish in Hollywood... They love the little guys, don't they...)

[Cronos]

oh and don't forget that it's a FACT that every piece of media crp about Irq results in more coalition deaths -- after that little piece about the British soldiers, more and more Brit peacekeepers are losing their lives and people are more hostile. CAn't the media be put on trial as traitors and for putting soldiers' lives in danger?

[joesnuffy]

America's entertainment addiction makes her domestic
enemies ever richer and even more influential...

[Canedawg]

Interesting that at the same time Clooney won his little statue, FNC was doing a story on how Hitchcock interwove his anti-Nazi feelings into "Lifeboat".

Then and now...

[neverdem]

Is it just me or do Clooney look like a Krugman Klone in that movie?

Maybe it's you.

[dynachrome]

You got a mention Krauthammer's column. ""Syriana's" script has, of course, the classic liberal tropes such as this stage direction: "The Deputy National Security Advisor, MARILYN RICHARDS, 40's, sculpted hair, with the soul of a 70-year-old white, Republican male, is in charge" (Page 21). Or this piece of over-the-top, Gordon Gekko Republican-speak, placed in the mouth of a Texas oilman: "Corruption is our protection. Corruption is what keeps us safe and warm. . . . Corruption . . . is how we win" (Page 93). "