The Men Who Stare at Goats 2009

The film starts with Brigadier General Dean Hopgood (played by Stephen Lang) fixated on the wall of his office. Resolutely, he informs his secretary of his intention to leap through it, only to crash into the wall, bewildered as to what just happened. Believe it or not, this peculiar scenario sets the tone for the unfolding story.

Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), a journalist for a local Ann Arbor newspaper, begins narrating his journey. He reflects that his saga didn’t commence as he envisioned it would—with the marriage to his college sweetheart, Helen (Rebecca Mader). Instead, it traces back to an odd encounter with a man on talk radio, claiming involvement in a covert government program.

He meets Gus Lacey (Stephen Root), who shares an astonishing tale about a psychic spy initiative, asserting that he unintentionally killed his pet hamster using psychic powers. Captivated yet skeptical, Bob watches footage of the hamster seeming to peruse a wheel, only to see it flop over and “die,” but later, it rises. Lacey reveals this was staged for his mother’s comfort. He hints at Lynn Cassady, the most formidable Psi-warrior in their unit. Despite initially dismissing the encounter, Bob’s curiosity grows.

Fast forward to 2003, after a tragedy disrupts his life, Bob decides to venture to Iraq for the ultimate story. However, upon arriving, he finds himself unable to access the war-torn region. Frustrated, he tries to connect with Helen but faces heartbreak when he learns she has moved on. Consumed by despair, Bob gets intoxicated in the hotel lobby, where he meets a man named Skip, later realizing his true identity as Lynn Cassady (George Clooney).

Lynn extends his bizarre knowledge about the New Earth Army, a unique initiative driven by former Vietnam Vet Bill Django (Jeff Bridges). Bill’s epiphany—that love would triumph over hatred—propelled him to explore unconventional methods of warfare. Intrigued, Bob persuades Lynn to lead him into Iraq, where he hopes to uncover more about this peculiar branch of military service.

Their journey to Baghdad is filled with chaos, including a series of misfortune and miscommunication that forces Bob to see Lynn’s eccentricity firsthand. One incident includes Lynn’s unsuccessful attempt to prepare food using an unorthodox solar cooker, leading to more comedic mishaps. The situation escalates when the duo finds themselves adrift in the desert, facing perilous circumstances.

Through bizarre escapades, including a brush with terrorists, Bob learns the truth surrounding the New Earth Army. He discovers Lynn possesses remarkable remote viewing skills, which puts them at odds with another psychic, Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey), who resorts to malevolent tactics to compete.

Their journey reveals Lynn’s troubled past with the Army and the demon of his own making; a curse inflicted because of his psychic prowess. The narrative crescendos as they embark on a mission involving freedom and frantic escapes from captivity, leading to psychedelic experiences that blur the lines between reality and illusion.

As chaos unfolds around them, Bob experiences bizarre episodes that provoke profound realizations, guiding him towards self-discovery. He learns the importance of his story—not merely to recount the absurdities of the battlefield but to embrace the lessons stemming from his vibrant encounters with Lynn and Bill.

The film culminates with unexpected truths emerging amidst the humor and turmoil, culminating in Bob’s personal transformation. He grasps an eternal lesson from Lynn about the importance of truth and the simplicity of existence, ultimately resulting in a momentous, yet whimsical, personal achievement where he attempts to phase through the wall just like a true Jedi.