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My mother had seen this film before I did, and she said that she didn't feel the film was about homosexuality, per se, but about being 'different', and having to deal with societies reactions to that difference. I came away with the same feeling. Now, I do happen to be gay, and having two handsome leading men in the film was certainly a treat.

What impressed me more was the performances in the ensemble. From Randy Quaid and Linda Cardellini ( who have relatively small roles ) to Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway ( both very fine, worthy of Oscar mention ) to Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, who gave the best performances of the year, and of their careers.

This is a 10 out of 10. Go see it.

There's no intellectual challenges made in this movie's plot, and that's how it should be; the characters are only slightly more fleshed-out than any of the ones from the TV show, and that's also not a bad thing - if you put too much seriousness into this kind of film, you wind up killing the roaring-good times to be had. What really makes the film work is the charisma ( & physical charms )of the 3 leading ladies, combined with well-choreographed action sequences and the tongue-in-cheek script. If you enjoy Diaz, Barrymore & Liu ( not to mention Bill Murray )when they're on the screen, you'll love this flick.

I avoided this film for some time because I have a strong dislike of war films, particularly relatively recent wars. Too bad for me. I finally rented it because of the impressive works I've seen by Mr. Russell. This is not a war film, even though it takes place during a war, and in a war zone. This is a film of humanity. Like many other films that I find excellent, this film deals with the human condition on many levels. There's pathos, humor, love, violence, ad infinitum. You'd get a sterilized version of what this film shows on the evening news. It shows that our soldiers, just as ourselves, are human, with all our frailities. And, I believe, it gives an honest account of what life is like for the people of the Middle East.

Fine acting by truly fine actors, great cinematography, and a very intelligent script make this a must see film.