Sam Mendes slams Gung-Ho America

SVZ · January 16th, 2006, 05:52 AM

Oscar-winning director SAM MENDES insists American audiences have struggled to understand his new movie JARHEAD, because they believe their armed forces are "invincible".

The AMERICAN BEAUTY film-maker is disappointed Americans have failed to see the irony behind his latest offering, but he is more concerned about the opinion of British cinema-goers.

He says, "I don't think we're like the Americans when it comes to war.

"The American stance is 'we are invincible, we are invariably right to go into foreign countries and it's our duty to sort them out'.

"Which is why a lot of them didn't get this movie."

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sputnik · January 16th, 2006, 06:24 AM

haven't seen it but i have to say i agree with his assessment... not all americans think like that of course, but i'd say a fair share of the ones i've met, and it seems to be the prevailing opinion among the pro-war segment of the population.

slurikaine · January 16th, 2006, 11:06 AM

I think it's a sad assumption to make over one entire nation. I am from southern Indiana, and for the most part, everyone around here are conservative, pro-war, God fearing people. But no one I know thinks it is our duty as Americans to go over to Iraq and bomb the hell out of them just because there's turmoil in that country and it's our job to sort it out. Everyone I know who is pro-war believes what other people who are anti-war believe: that we're over there for the oil.

I thought the movie was a great depiction about a soldier's life in a foreign country during war. I got it. I guess me and the 12 other people I went with, including my good friend who is now over in Iraq, were the only ones.

Grimmlok · January 16th, 2006, 12:09 PM

So they think its ok to go over to Iraq and bomb the hell out of them for oil, instead of 'sorting them out'?

Might I ask, what's the difference?

Ishtar · January 16th, 2006, 02:11 PM

Note to Sam Mendes: Your movie sucked. It's your fault. Get over it.

darksithbunny · January 16th, 2006, 02:15 PM

This was already posted. And it still sucks.

Grimmlok · January 16th, 2006, 02:30 PM

I thought it was a great movie...

Grimmlok · January 16th, 2006, 02:36 PM

Probably so.

Grimmlok · January 16th, 2006, 02:54 PM

Quite.

Grimmlok · January 16th, 2006, 03:08 PM

*collapses upon himself trying to get to negative monosyllabic expressions*

NawdleZouss · January 16th, 2006, 04:11 PM

Whaaa?

slurikaine · January 16th, 2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

So they think its ok to go over to Iraq and bomb the hell out of them for oil, instead of 'sorting them out'?

Might I ask, what's the difference?

All you did was read between the lines. I never said that it was ok to "bomb the hell out of them for oil". Don't put words in my mouth. I just said that even the pro-war people wonder what the war is really about. That's it.

Grimmlok · January 16th, 2006, 05:48 PM

I thought you said the pro-war people knew it was about oil, but they were all rah rah anyhow.

*scratches head*

slurikaine · January 16th, 2006, 07:41 PM

I was in a hurry, I probably didn't explain it well. I don't know.