Cutler's Movie Review "Men who Stare at Goats"

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS Of all the zany and outrageous decisions coming from the higher echelon of men and women who govern our great nation, “The Men Who Stare At Goats,” not only meets those absurdities but, goes way beyond and are in a class by themselves.  Be of positive strength and clarity of mind, dear readers, because “Goats” based on a best selling non-fiction book by Jon Ronson, goes to the outer limits as the film explores the government’s honest attempt to defeat its enemies through clairvoyant competence. Inspired by a true story, the unimaginable happens and for a good part of the film, a hysterically funny screenplay by Peter Straughan about the folly of those who guard our safekeeping, unfolds with incredulous skepticism and disbelief.   Bolstering the farcical events that unfold before us are the brilliant George Clooney who more than makes up for his misguided starring role in “Leatherheads,” Ewan McGregor, a journalist looking for his first big story, Jeff Bridges, the founder of the program designed to instill psychic powers into our servicemen and Kevin Spacey who is, well, spacey, as a renegade psychic who is undermining Bridges’ efforts. One psychic phenomenon to be employed by the Military is the belief that ‘a goat can be killed simply by staring at it,’ hence, the title.  I’m sure, at least I’m hoping, that some creative liberties have been taken by the writers, because, if they haven’t, we are trusting some severely dangerous wackos with our lives. As it is, the bizarre events are suspect but, knowing what we do about the corruption, waste and sometimes outrageously stupid decisions of some of our elected officials, the tendency here is to accept everything as truth.  And, that my friends, is a bit scary! “Goats” can be milked just so much before it runs out of laughs.  But, until it does, you will have an enjoyable time until you realize that the jokes are on us. 3 bagels out of 4