Matt Damon plays a tough, smart American soldier trying to do right under dubious circumstances in the war action thriller Green Zone.
Damon delivers a strong performance as soldier-turned-investigator in this frenzied, intelligent drama. Think All the President's Men set within the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003.
The soldier's viewpoint is key in Paul Greengrass' film. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon) leads a unit on hazardous missions.
Searching for Saddam Hussein's WMDs (weapons of mass destruction), they secure empty warehouses and even a toilet factory. Wherever they go, they find nothing - "a doughnut." Miller alerts the higher-ups that "There's a problem with the intel."
WMDs were never discovered in Iraq. Screenwriter Brian Helgeland succeeds in drawing on historical records while simplifying and adding fictional elements to achieve true-to-life drama.
Green Zone confronts the question of why we go to war, unlike other war films. "The reasons always matter," Miller insists.
Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker) expertly films chases and firefights with handheld cameras.
Greengrass' action-under-pressure genius shows Damon holler complex orders which he and his team execute with swift precision. Dangerous double-crosses create even more havoc. "Have a nice war," Miller quips to an interloper.
After a strategy meeting where Miller's concerns are dismissed, he is approached by CIA operative Martin Brown (Brendan Gleeson). Brown agrees that something is awry, and gives Miller his business card.
Spouting the official White House line (which contradicts CIA intelligence) is Pentagon official Clark Poundstone (effective Greg Kinnear). Poundstone wields broad authority and instantly makes decisions, seeking to shut down Miller as a threat.
"Demoncracy is messy," is Poundstone's rebukes to any challenger.
Bickering continues within American and Iraqi camps. Freddy (outstanding Khalid Abdalla of The Kite Runner) becomes Miller's informant and translator. Igal Naor portrays ruthless Baathist General Al Rawi, who pays a price for official lies and deceptions.
The "green zone" refers to a posh American enclave within Baghdad where officials relax by a pool and drink beer. As Miller visits the mecca within a war zone, he is struck by its languor and back-stabbing. "I thought we were all on the same side," he says. "Don't be naïve," chides Brown.
In this green zone Miller meets Wall Street Journal reporter Lawrie Dayne (Amy Ryan), who has published false accounts of WMDs based on misinformation from a Deep Throat source. Dayne's character is based on former New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who wrote inaccurate stories that helped sell the war in America.
As "mission accomplished" is declared for Operation Iraqi Freedom, bitter debate breaks out among Iraqis regarding a new puppet leader. Supporters of the war cite democratic reforms within Iraq, including national elections.
Damon continues to pick Jason Bourne-like leading roles with a conscience. Greengrass helmed both The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and The Bourne Supremacy (2004). He also directed United 93 (2006).
If you like Green Zone, you might enjoy: The Hurt Locker; The Messenger.
Green Zone 2010 / R / 1 hr, 55 min
Cast Overview: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan, Khalid Abdalla, Igal Naor, Jason Isaacs
Director: Paul Greengrass
Genres: War Drama, Action, Thriller
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