In this the 21st century, wars are fought in large part by lawyers. Split second decisions have to be kicked about and sent to higher ups and second-guessed by lawyers. No one in command wants to make the call.
The spectacle of kibitzing lawyers is on full display in "Eye In The Sky", an exasperating film dealing with a drone strike in Kenya. The target is located and the drone is ready to strike - except that the commander of the strike (Helen Mirren) can't get clearance for the reasons mentioned above. All concerned dither and kick the can to someone else. Compounding the problem are two wimpy, tremble-chinned drone operators who are obsessed with collateral damage, despite the fact that the damage would be worse if the mission is not carried out.
The hero of the film is none other than perennial baddie Alan Rickman, who tries to fight through all the feckless opposition to the strike. It is an aggravating 102 minutes to sit through and is probably a good illustration of the gymnastics the modern military has to endure to get anything important done. It is Rickman who nails it when he says, "Never tell a soldier he doesn't know the cost of war". It is almost worth the admission to hear his supercilious voice say it, in this mostly talking talking picture.
The spectacle of kibitzing lawyers is on full display in "Eye In The Sky", an exasperating film dealing with a drone strike in Kenya. The target is located and the drone is ready to strike - except that the commander of the strike (Helen Mirren) can't get clearance for the reasons mentioned above. All concerned dither and kick the can to someone else. Compounding the problem are two wimpy, tremble-chinned drone operators who are obsessed with collateral damage, despite the fact that the damage would be worse if the mission is not carried out.
The hero of the film is none other than perennial baddie Alan Rickman, who tries to fight through all the feckless opposition to the strike. It is an aggravating 102 minutes to sit through and is probably a good illustration of the gymnastics the modern military has to endure to get anything important done. It is Rickman who nails it when he says, "Never tell a soldier he doesn't know the cost of war". It is almost worth the admission to hear his supercilious voice say it, in this mostly talking talking picture.