This was a great film, a snapshot of what our country has done and where it is headed since 9/11. A senator named Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise) who tries to separate himself from the pack by pushing a different way to engage the enemy. A reporter Janice Roth (Meryl Streep) who is uncompromising and realizes that she has witnessed this type of war before. A college professor Dr. Stephen Malley (Robert Redford) himself a veteran of war asks his students to do more for their country but trying to remind them that it does not mean that you should sign up for the military. A couple of ordinary college students Arian (Derek Luke) and Ernest (Michael Pena) who are moved by the professor's argument yet feel they must engage in the war of their generation.
 
The movie is based on the present day. Those who think everything is going well, have a tough time with the truth. It was a well-made directed piece by Robert Redford, it had great dialogue between the actors, and it leaves a powerful message.