Syriana

Name: Syriana
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: November 23, 2005
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Amanda Peet, George Clooney, Matt Damon

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 392 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 392 Ratings

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Syriana

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: November 23, 2005 | R

Starring: Amanda Peet, George Clooney, Matt Damon

Summary: From writer/director Stephen Gaghan, winner of the Best Screenplay Academy Award for "Traffic," comes Syriana, a political thriller that unfolds against the intrigues and corruption of the global oil industry. From the players brokering back-room deals in Washington to the men toiling in the oil fields of the Persian Gulf, the film'sFrom writer/director Stephen Gaghan, winner of the Best Screenplay Academy Award for "Traffic," comes Syriana, a political thriller that unfolds against the intrigues and corruption of the global oil industry. From the players brokering back-room deals in Washington to the men toiling in the oil fields of the Persian Gulf, the film's multiple storylines weave together to illuminate the human consequences of the fierce pursuit of wealth and power. [Warner Bros.]… Expand

Director: Stephen Gaghan

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 126 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Travers

Takes off with the lightning speed of a thriller, the gonzo force of frontline journalism and the emotional wallop of a drama that puts a human face on shocking statistics. Read full review

Desson Thomson

What's so powerful about the film is the rich stories it tells and how it leads them like so many human tributaries to one black, bubbling source. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

A weighty and deeply intriguing look at the many-tentacled beast that is the international oil industry. Wide-ranging and restlessly probing, Stephen Gaghan's second directorial effort uses the same mosaic storytelling technique as in his Oscar-winning screenplay for "Traffic." Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Gaghan is attempting to cover so much ground in Syriana that the movie at times feels a little suffocating. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

We can only hope that the time frame is meant to be sometime before 9/11, and not after. Either way, it's a troubling vision of how terrorism and "martyrdom" occur on both sides of this ghostly war, and is both perpetrated and facilitated by the very forces enlisted to stop it. Read full review

Dallas Observer Robert Wilonsky

Gaghan's a filmmaker for the gamer who doesn't need to have the plot follow a neat, linear path. Besides, you don't need to know precisely what's going on; no one else in the film does either. Which is Gaghan's point. Read full review

Ruthe Stein

It's hard to get swept away when you're struggling to figure out who's doing what to whom and why. Read full review

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User Reviews

DaveW.

Nov 19, 2009

Well worth the concentration and focus required.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

jdelapa

Dec 15, 2005

Wow. This movie is amazing. I can't stop thinking about it... I think its this years best, and certainly my new favorite.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EllenG.

Jul 10, 2006

You need to pay attention but if you do you will experience a good movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DanB

Dec 14, 2005

I think the reaction people have to this film will tell you more about the person speaking than the film. And for the record, I'm not at all sure it's particularly liberal, nor does it so strenuously assert the oil business is evil. I mean, you could think it says that, but I I think the reaction people have to this film will tell you more about the person speaking than the film. And for the record, I'm not at all sure it's particularly liberal, nor does it so strenuously assert the oil business is evil. I mean, you could think it says that, but I think the msg is a bit more mixed than that.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Spangle

Dec 25, 2014

Syriana is ultimately a mixed bag. On the positive, it is extremely well shot. I really loved the look and feel of this film and that is ultimately the thing that stood out most to me. The script from Stephen Gaghan is also very strong and well written, though complicated. However, it hasSyriana is ultimately a mixed bag. On the positive, it is extremely well shot. I really loved the look and feel of this film and that is ultimately the thing that stood out most to me. The script from Stephen Gaghan is also very strong and well written, though complicated. However, it has its moments of brilliance and has very tight dialogue throughout. The casting is also very good as everybody really fit the roles they were cast in well. Finally, it certainly had a great ending packed with thrills that made build up worth it and allowed some insight into what had just transpired over the last two hours. Sadly, there are some major negatives. Firstly, the multiple storylines are interesting and enjoyable, but it stifles the acting of the great cast. Phenomenally cast, nobody is able to standout as they are barely there, so nobody has time to establish their performance. In addition, it can really slow down at times and get boring. Like, really boring. There are moments that really hook you in, but others that nearly put you to sleep, which is a problem. Most importantly, I felt like it was trying too hard to make its audience confused. I like the idea that it was purposeful, but there was very little to latch onto. Ultimately, Syriana is a very well made film with moments of brilliance that falters for the same reasons that make it good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dec 11, 2005

This is a bore!!! It's boring. Did I mention how boring this movie is. It's agonizingly dull. The director, writer and editor seem to think that to show boredom, one has to film boredom. The movie is around 120 minutes long (I know: I checked my watch about ten times). It spends This is a bore!!! It's boring. Did I mention how boring this movie is. It's agonizingly dull. The director, writer and editor seem to think that to show boredom, one has to film boredom. The movie is around 120 minutes long (I know: I checked my watch about ten times). It spends that 120 minutes in a perpetual "setup" that could have and should have taken 20 minutes. Several people left. I asked my wife if we could leave several times. George Clooney gained 35 lbs. For what? He wasn't in the movie all that much. Neither was Matt Damon (Maaatttt Daaaamon). And HIS story line was the best!!! It seems that every piece of footage this director filmed thought it was so "Artistic" and "Profound" that it couldn't be left out of the story; it redefines "self-indulgence". There is five minute after five minute after five minute of "these" characters settting the stage for "that" character. And the dialog is so dull, so slow. The concept was interesting. The execution was terrible. What a snooze. And "professional" critics actually like and recommend this? In the movie, they talk about how the Chinese Gov't tortures members of Falun Gong. Well, "Syriana" is how Hollywood tortues movie goers.… Expand

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ArnoldH.

Dec 3, 2005

The most incoherent two hours in movie history. Stereotypes, not flesh and blood characters. Unconcving plot developments. A true must-miss.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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59	#59 Best Movie of 2005
10	#10 Most Discussed Movie of 2005