The plan centers around a young girl who must go undercover to befriend this man’s wife, and then seduce the man to earn his confidence and trust.  The girl is amazingly good at what she does, for being so naive and scared, she is absolutely committed to the cause.

The movie is rated NC-17.  There are lots of graphic, violent sex scenes.  This is not a movie for the faint of heart.  But the story is solid, and compelling.  We care about these people, and we learn a little bit about what was going on during that time in history.  This is more than a drama, it’s a tragedy, and it will stay in your mind for days.

The whole story reminded me of something Quentin Tarantino would do – you’ve got two bad guys feuding, and then this Slevin is put in the middle of the action, throw in Bruce Willis’ mysterious stranger for more intrigue, and a cute Lucy Liu for love interest.  Not bad, just not totally compelling. Some violence, but more a guessing game than anything.  Appropriately quirky and offbeat.  Teens might like it – especially girls who want to see Josh running around in a towel.

The plot is all about a former government employee’s plot to take over the world via the internet.  Justin Long is the computer geek who starts out as Bruce’s assignment and ends up being his sidekick.  They’re a cute team.

Fun movie, a little over the top, a little loud, but a good night’s entertainment.

The simultaneous storyline is about a pedophile who has served his time and now lives in the neighborhood with his mother.  Jackie Earle Haley is nominated for his performance in that role.  He’s the town pariah, and he knows it, and yet he is not equipped with the tools to better himself or his situation.

There’s no good guy in this movie, and no bad guy.  The whole set-up is tragic from the start, the only bright light being the little children everyone is so desperate to protect.

Dark, and thought-provoking.  For adults only.

Three storylines intersect to comment on the current war situation.  The professor brings in a student for a chat – the student is disillusioned and unmotivated, but the professor sees something in him and wants him to achieve more, to step up and care more.  He tells the story of two of his students who did just that, by going against his advice and signing up to serve in the army.

At the same time, the two soldiers are off to fight this new, secret mission, the bright idea of Cruise’s senator.  The soldiers fall out of a helicopter and are left to fend for themselves in enemy territory.

And simultaneously, the senator is pitching his “save the world” strategy with the reporter, asking for her help in getting the word out that this idea is viable, and the solution that has been long sought to end the war.

Redford doesn’t have to work too hard on the acting end, he’s mentoring, which comes naturally.  As the senator, Cruise is smug, snarkily so, not winning over any fans with his transparent smile.  Not much of a stretch.  Meryl Streep stands out, conflicted over her part in this sham, feeling guilty, and used.  Michael Pe�a and Derek Luke are amazing – look for leading men roles for both of them in the future.

The movie is very dialogue heavy – lots and lots of talking.  Some war violence.