Obi-Wan and The Men Who Stare at Goats
I am a bit behind in my movie viewing, I must admit, but today I saw a really, really excellent movie: The Men Who Stare at Goats. Oh, my gosh! I loved it, loved it, loved it!! At first I wasn’t really sure where it was going, but by the time the end credits rolled, I was a New Earth Army Convert!!
Being a child of the seventies who loved the Star Wars movies, the Jedi references and the mind control were enough to keep me entertained throughout – especially with Ewan McGregor (in the role of Bob) , who, of course, portrayed my all-time favorite movie character for three films: Obi-Wan Kenobi. All my life I wanted to be Obi-Wan…But it was more than that. I hadn’t known what to expect from this movie, but what I got was a life lesson to which I could totally relate…the universe giving you signs. Mind control over the weak. Man’s cruelty to man, his desire for power, his vanity…His superstitious self – admitted or not. Density – oops, I mean destiny. Fate. Native American beliefs. Symbolism. Kindness. Love. It was all there…a unique blending of all that is good within us — something we seem to have lost.
Mr. McGregor was great in his befuddled-til-the-end portrayal of Bob, the reporter who is looking for himself. Jeff Bridges – the favorite actor of at least one person I know!! – was interesting as Bill. George Clooney, of whom I am not normally a HUGE fan, was…I loved his tormented character, Lyn.
I will not give away the ending in case you have not seen it, but I have to admit that I was surprised when I realized that I was crying and clapping at the last scene…especially after the following speech by Bob – a speech with which I totally agree and wish I had come up with myself:
…and if I ever needed proof of how the Dark Side had taken the beautiful dream of what a nation could be, and had twisted it, destroyed it, well, that was it; but I won’t stop.
I won’t give up.
Because when I look at what is happening in the world, I know that now, more than ever…we need to be all that we can be.
Now, more than ever…we need the Jedi.
I agree, Bob. Long live Obi-Wan!! If you haven’t seen it, do so. Now! If you have, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I!!
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