Release Date (UK) – 6 November 2009
Certificate (UK) – 15
Country – USA
Director – Grant Heslov
Runtime – 93 mins
Starring – George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey

Based on the bestselling book by Jon Ronson Men Who follows journalist Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) who meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) just outside Iraq. Lyn tells him mysterious stories of an experimental U.S. army section he was in, the ‘New Earth Army’ and Bob follows him to learn more. Lyn tells him stales of how the army, led by zany Bill Django (Jeff Bridges) went through strange training activities to developing psychic powers to read enemies minds and as the tile suggests, even claims that he was able to be able to kill goats with the powers that he developed. The unit was discharged many years ago and Lyn is now on the trail to find Bill who he believes is inside Iraq.

Unfortunately this film is not really sure whether it’s trying to be a straight out comedy or a gentler comedic drama. There are plenty of one liners and comic situations but sometimes they don’t quite come off, for example montages of the New Earth Army training are supposed to produce laugh out loud moments at the ludicrous scenarios and even slapstick falls but there not well set up enough to do so. However Kevin Spacey as new army recruit Larry Hooper who is jealous of Lyn’s place as star pupil in the army is superb, especially in his facial expressions and Bridges crazy hippy leader character is also great fun. It’s definitely the most enjoyable film I’ve seen recently and with the current lack of astounding films out while we wait for the Oscar candidates to start being released then this is definitely my pick of the week.

Meanwhile in the press this week a very public argument has broken out over Jon Ronson’s claims of authorship on the film. Journalist John Sergeant argues that Ronson claims the character of Bob is based on himself but that it was Sergeant himself who spent the time researching the material for what became Ronson’s 2004 TV documentary and then follow up book. According to The Independent Sergeant is apparently so disgruntled he has even written to Clooney to complain!

Its out in cinemas today.. trailer below