LIONS FOR LAMBS **

Directed by and starring Robert Redford, this preachy political drama also stars Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep. Rated R for some war violence and language, it's one hour and 28 minutes long.

Examining the current political/military situation from three vantage points the pic has Redford as a college professor trying to convince a student to become more involved in political activity. Cruise is a neocon Republican senator with Presidential ambition presenting the current administration viewpoint to Streep, a reporter who really isn't buying it and who feels guilty about aiding in the selling of the Iraq War. The third view is that of two of Redford's former students, now in the military, injured on a mountain plateau in Afghanistan, awaiting rescue.

The acting and production values are fine but this is more educational than entertaining. Both sides of the current political positions are presented as they pertain to the middle East conflict but it's highly unlikely anyone's opinion is going to be changed by this film. If you don't want to spend the money to see these actors tell you about current events, just turn on the evening national news a couple of times. The end result will be about the same.