The only way I'd ever recommend watching this movie is for a study on modern propaganda. It's like the Soviet era meets Hollywood. Don't waste your money on this mindless we'll-do-the-thinking-for-you stinker.

There are already some good reviews of this movie, but the one thing I haven't noticed anyone saying is that the movie has no story. It's pure liberal propaganda, a documentary buried in the look, but never reality of story within it's 3 interlaced pretences at stories. A "story" has literary elements, (say, "rules of engagment") including character, plot, setting, denoument, climax, any one of which missing renders it mere chatter. This offered only character, opinionated characters, poorly developed.

I recently read some Hollywood somebody defending such a story as this, claiming that life has no climaxes or endings, so such stories are more realistic. I can only pity the one who views life in such a way. All lives DO end, and all choices lead to denouments and climaxes, whether the individual wishes to graph his own or not. Those who spend theirs "looking for themselves," and whining, "What's it all about?" while seeking escape in whatever poison they chose, are simply not living as God intends. The life that is not worth dying for was not worth living.

Who could care what happened to any of these characters, other than the 2 on the battlefield, and they were far from realistic, behaving out of character for special forces fighters.

The clue as to where it was headed, which was nowhere, should have been obvious from its title, but unfortunately many viewers (self included) may not thought deeply about the title prior to watching.

If a viewer wants to waste time, assuming a viewer who actually has followed the politics of the past decade, this is a good one to watch. Any who actually want to deeply ponder the questions it ponderously pretends to raise about war and peace, life and death, principle vs. unprincipled, commitment vs. rhetoric, would do better to watch an old movie without politics, such as John Wayne's "The Cowboys," which gets down to the reality of the nitty gritty of right and wrong.

Yes this movie requires the viewer to pay attention. Yes it will make you think about your past experiences with college, the government and the media. I bought the DVD to give to my two grandsons who are in college and facing the reality of being an adult in today's world. But first I will give it to my sons, who, like me, faithfully served in the military and found our country's leaders and media lacking. This movie brilliantly shows the real world interplay of social and political forces that shape and alter our lives.

If you want to think critically about the real issues at stake in the politics surrounding the War in Iraq and Afghanistan, buy this movie. Both major viewpoints are represented honestly, and the movie leaves it up to you to decide.

Or, if you're a college student not sure what your role in society should be, buy this movie. Robert Redford's character's exchange with his student will speak to you, as it did to me.

I like that there are multiple points of view given in one movie, but it was way too disjointed. A bit too cliche as well. Fascinating title though! I had no idea what it meant until I watched the movie.