Paul Revere
New member
My recommendation of this film would be based solely on its underlying curious propaganda message rather than its quality. It will be interesting to see what other patriotic Americans think of this film.
Not to ruin the plot for you, I will just summarize what I saw. The movie, starring Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins, begins in an almost dreamlike state, drawing you in emotionally by showing a young boy staggering down his street with his hand blown off (from a fireworks related accident). Bridges plays a university professor teaching a class on terrorism who finds the boy and takes him to the hospital. Tim Robbins and Joan Cusak play the kid's parents who live across the street.
There are many twists and turns which bring the characters together as neighbors, but it's mostly their children that cause the bonding. Bridges suspects Robbins is hiding his true identity, and begins investigating his past. Bridges then learns that Robbins was involved in a federal building bombing when he 16, and has since changed his name.
Bridges' deceased wife was an FBI agent killed in the line of duty in an incident that almost mirrored Ruby Ridge.
All the while Robbins (the all American neighbor) and his mysterious friends are planning something big, which Bridges believes to be another federal building bombing. Bridges becomes entrenched in this investigation in which he includes his wife's FBI partner, to find out what these guys are up to. Bridges then discovers that another federal building bombing in which there was alledgedly a lone bomber, who was killed in the bombing, was in fact tied to the same "right wing extremist" group as Robbins. These "anti-government" terrorists were in fact conspiring to damage more federal property, and Bridges felt compelled to stop them when his son was kidnapped by Robbins (for bait).
And eventhough there were some pointedly positive things said along the way, the ending will surprise you, leaving you with a couple of conclusions. This is what I believe the underlying messages were...1) That one should not believe the "lone bomber" story, since it is inevitable that a larger "conspiracy" actually existed, 2) That the "government" couldn't possibly be involved in such a conspiracy, 3) If such a conspiracy existed, it has to be the "right wing extremist's anti government groups" who are perpetuating this domestic terrorism, and 4) Even your next door neighbor could be one of the potentially lethal domestic terrorists that we keep hearing about.
I think the movie's concluding message would be to tell the American people that their true threat today is not by foreign terrorists or our own government, but these, "right wing extremists". Again, focusing the American public's onto a perceived problem, while the true conspirators work feverishly to destroy our Bill of Rights.
Not to ruin the plot for you, I will just summarize what I saw. The movie, starring Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins, begins in an almost dreamlike state, drawing you in emotionally by showing a young boy staggering down his street with his hand blown off (from a fireworks related accident). Bridges plays a university professor teaching a class on terrorism who finds the boy and takes him to the hospital. Tim Robbins and Joan Cusak play the kid's parents who live across the street.
There are many twists and turns which bring the characters together as neighbors, but it's mostly their children that cause the bonding. Bridges suspects Robbins is hiding his true identity, and begins investigating his past. Bridges then learns that Robbins was involved in a federal building bombing when he 16, and has since changed his name.
Bridges' deceased wife was an FBI agent killed in the line of duty in an incident that almost mirrored Ruby Ridge.
All the while Robbins (the all American neighbor) and his mysterious friends are planning something big, which Bridges believes to be another federal building bombing. Bridges becomes entrenched in this investigation in which he includes his wife's FBI partner, to find out what these guys are up to. Bridges then discovers that another federal building bombing in which there was alledgedly a lone bomber, who was killed in the bombing, was in fact tied to the same "right wing extremist" group as Robbins. These "anti-government" terrorists were in fact conspiring to damage more federal property, and Bridges felt compelled to stop them when his son was kidnapped by Robbins (for bait).
And eventhough there were some pointedly positive things said along the way, the ending will surprise you, leaving you with a couple of conclusions. This is what I believe the underlying messages were...1) That one should not believe the "lone bomber" story, since it is inevitable that a larger "conspiracy" actually existed, 2) That the "government" couldn't possibly be involved in such a conspiracy, 3) If such a conspiracy existed, it has to be the "right wing extremist's anti government groups" who are perpetuating this domestic terrorism, and 4) Even your next door neighbor could be one of the potentially lethal domestic terrorists that we keep hearing about.
I think the movie's concluding message would be to tell the American people that their true threat today is not by foreign terrorists or our own government, but these, "right wing extremists". Again, focusing the American public's onto a perceived problem, while the true conspirators work feverishly to destroy our Bill of Rights.