Complex ‘Syriana’ examines big oil

George Clooney already delivered one dynamic political thriller this year in “Good Night and Good Luck.” That film dealt with communist witch hunts of the past. “Syriana” dives deep into the politics of the present and future with a laser beam focus on the worldwide business of big oil.

Multiple plot lines feature a cross section of people involved at every level of this huge money-making enterprise. Of course, there are Arab kings and princes with fabulous wealth. Politicians, CIA agents, bankers and corporate executives play cat and mouse with each other. Intrigue and double cross are the order of the day among the sharks on the business and government sides of the equation.

But we also see the harsh lives of impoverished migrant workers imported to work the oil fields of the Middle East. Their hard labor benefits many masters, while the philosophy of fundamental Islam grows within their ranks. The convoluted oil policies of America, China, Russia, the Gulf states and even Kazakhstan are all on display.

George Clooney, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper and Christopher Plummer are outstanding in their roles. The many interlocking stories being told are complex and fascinating.

You won’t be able to keep track of the names of the fictional characters and all their intrigues, but it doesn’t matter.

You will understand the big picture.

The world is running out of oil and the highest bidder will get the last of what’s left unless we do something about it. Without offering a solution, this riveting film will stimulate many discussions about we need to do next.

Well written and very well acted, “Syriana” will garner Oscar nominations as it makes us think about our dangerous predicament.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office.

It’s been hyped as “intelligent,” a “cinematic smart bomb” and “engrossing.” I’ll give “Syriana” two out of three.

Though writer and director Stephen Gaghan (“Traffic”) has given us an ambitiously intricate thriller about the geopolitics of the Persian Gulf, viewing it is hard work and definitely not kickback, mindless action. Here is a movie that dares us to keep up with all its characters, conspiracies and messages.

There’s only one real message: Almost everybody connected with the global oil business is greedy and corrupt. If they’re not, then they’re naïve and eventual disillusionment will turn them greedy and corrupt.

Well, duh!

But what is surprising is that it’s all told in such an impersonal style. There’s no one to root for, no one who catches our sympathy except perhaps the migrant oil workers who are recruited by extremists.

There is an abundance of talent -- George Clooney plays an aging CIA veteran, Chris Cooper a scheming oilman, Christopher Plummer a reptilian lawyer, Matt Damon a baby-faced analyst, and there is an all-too-brief appearance by William Hurt.

Jeffrey Wright is a standout as a cool-headed, due diligence attorney who proves instrumental in the double dealings between two merging oil companies.

“Syriana” shows moments of brilliance, suspense and shocking cynicism, but if you try to connect all the dots, you’ll be lost. Come to think of it, perhaps that’s the only description about the politics of oil that makes any sense.

* SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.

‘Chronicles of Narnia’ is mostly kid stuff

So it’s Sunday night. My mom and I decide to see one of the weekend’s new releases, hoping for a relaxing distraction from the agitation that the night before the work week usually brings in the Salam household.

We didn’t get that.

We got about 75 kids sitting in and around the cinema screaming and being 5- and 6-year-olds that like to yell across the theater and talk really loudly to their friends.

Aside from the viewing environment, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” catered well to the general viewing audience. The story by C.S. Lewis of four siblings venturing into the unknown cascades of Narnia through an unconventional portal, a wardrobe, provides sufficient allure in itself, but only dramatically to the 5- and 6-year-old imagination.

You’ve got your traditional evil villain, the White Witch; your courageous and wise leader, Aslan; and the forces of good and evil working symbolically and visually in an appealing synthesis of turmoil and serenity that makes the movie work. However, the graphics lack conviction and sincerity in emotion, but I suppose if the images were any more visual, some of the tots would have left the theater crying.

Oddly enough, the audience I had the pleasure to be a part of didn’t laugh very much. Honestly, I don’t think the little ones understood much of the satire, and the adults were probably too tired to even listen to the dialogue. But I did think it was funny -- cute and innocent, but funny.

The movie was good, a little slow toward the end -- it was a little drawn out but captivating nonetheless. Aslan, voiced by Liam Neeson, was my favorite character; I admit I am a little partial to wise, almighty, father-characters.

Each child gave an adequate performance, even as young actors and actresses. Keeping in mind that this movie is rated PG, its contents are not beyond expectation.

* SARA SALAM is a senior at Corona del Mar High School.

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