(2005)
4
Perry Seibert
Syriana utilizes topical subject matter in order to put a human face on complicated world events. The film tells a very intricate story in that the actions of over a dozen characters all impact the others. Putting all the pieces together might require more than one viewing, but the performances are so vivid and the filmmaking so assured that one never feels lost during a viewing. With this many characters and plot threads it is easy for directors to trip, but Stephen Gaghan manages to make each scene feel like it is in the right place at the right time. The film shows an obvious debt to not only Steven Soderbergh's Traffic (which Gaghan scripted), but also such gritty, paranoid '70s films as All the President's Men. George Clooney plays very much against type as a burned-out CIA agent, based on a real CIA agent whose nonfiction book served as the jumping off point for the film. His performance exudes a weariness that he has never shown before. The most underappreciated actor of his time, Jeffrey Wright turns in yet another pitch-perfect performance as a lawyer who keeps his motivations hidden. Matt Damon does angry and articulate as well as anybody, and he benefits greatly from some outstanding speeches. These performers, and all of the others as well, help keep the sprawling film to a digestible experience. The political content of the film is pretty basic; Gaghan simply hopes to show the human price paid when government and big business are so closely intertwined as to be almost indistinguishable.
Trailer
awards for Syriana on AllMovie
Syriana (2005)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
|
Nominated |
Best Original Screenplay
|
2005 |
|
Won |
Best Supporting Actor
|
2005 |
American Film Institute
Art Directors Guild
|
Nominated |
Best Art Direction in a Contemporary Film
|
2005 |
Boston Society of Film Critics
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
|
Nominated |
Best Supporting Actor
|
2005 |
Broadcast Film Critics Association
|
Nominated |
Best Ensemble Acting
|
2005 |
|
Nominated |
Best Supporting Actor
|
2005 |
Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics Association
Hollywood Foreign Press Association
|
Nominated |
Best Original Score
|
2005 |
|
Won |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
|
2005 |
National Board of Review
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Won |
Best Adapted Screenplay
|
2005 |
|
Nominated |
Best Picture
|
2005 |
Screen Actors Guild
|
Nominated |
Best Supporting Actor
|
2005 |
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association
|
Won |
Best Supporting Actor
|
2005 |
Writers Guild of America
|
Nominated |
Best Adapted Screenplay
|
2005 |
