TRANCE-PARENT STORYTELLING: Lyn Cassady (George Clooney, from left), Mahmud Daash (Waleed Zuaiter) and Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) in The Men Who Stare at Goats
The Men Who Stare at Goats begins with a wonderful disclaimer: “More of this is true than you would believe.” Most films use phrases like “Based on a true story” or “Inspired by actual events” as a fig leaf for outrageous liberties with little connection to reality. The real incidents behind The Men Who Stare at Goats indeed seem stranger than fiction, but the demands of formulaic three-act screenwriting sabotage the film’s mission.
Based on the book of the same name by Welsh journalist and documentarian Jon Ronson, the film completely reimagines Ronson as Michigan reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor). Personal crises inspire Wilton to attempt to cover the 2002 invasion of Iraq. While languishing in Kuwait City and envying the embedded war correspondents, Wilton meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney). Cassady turns out to be a veteran of the U.S. Army’s First Earth Battalion, which attempted to train psychic soldiers.
DOE EYED: Newcomer Goat mesmerizes audiences and actors alike in his latest film "The Men Who Stare at Goats."
Part PSA and part celeb gnash — be on the lookout for Goat. Goat (last name unknown) is creating buzz among the Hollywood heavyweights with the hilarious scene grabs from A-lister George Clooney in their latest film The Men Who Stare At Goats. While most would illustrate a prejudice toward Goat and his mild mannered ilk, Goat has swayed public opinion of his kind through sheer talent and an inhuman work ethic.
Recently Goat indulged the press with a series of one-on-one e-mail interviews to discuss the film and his newfound celebrity status. Goat fans can follow the actor’s exploits on his Twitter page. Direct messages to Goat via Twitter were unfortunately not returned prior to the interview. The Men Who Stare at Goats opens nationwide Fri., Nov. 6.
With such critical acclaim from your stage performance in Animal Farm, how was the experience for you to leap off the stage and work as an actor in your first feature film?
If I’m being honest the transition was not difficult at all. When you possess real talent, it doesn’t matter whether it’s on the stage, in a film or even in a barnyard somewhere. It’s really about having the ability to bring a character to life and bring joy to an audience. I am just so happy that with this film more people will be able to share in my talent and see what I was born to do.
The Internets were underwhelmed by the debut of the trailer for James Cameron’s highly-touted Avatar — even Hitler doesn’t like it! I dunno, I think it could be cool sci-fi adventure, but we won’t know until December. Here’s a look at other trailers for the big fall’s films, and before you ask, “Hey, where’s The Lovely Bones or Sherlock Holmes?” these picks go through Thanksgiving.
The Informant! (Sep. 18)
Matt Damon plays an Archer Daniels Midland corporate whistleblower who’s inside information proves a mixed blessing. Stephen Soderbergh’s corporate satire looks highly amusing, as if Steve Carell were cast in the Russell Crowe role of Michael Mann’s The Insider.
