Today’s big event was The Men Who Stare At Goats, the hotly anticipated new film from George Clooney’s long time collaborator Grant Heslov (Good Night, and Good Luck). Heslov takes producing and directorial duties on Peter Straughan’s (How To Lose Friends and Alienate People) adaptation of Jon Ronson’s novel, which teams Clooney with Trainspotting star Ewan McGregor.

The Men Who Stare At Goats

McGregor is Bob, a reporter for a small town paper who, motivated by the departure of his wife, decides to travel to Iraq in search of adventure. But he gets more than he bargained for when he meets former soldier Lyn Cassady, who claims to be former member of the US Army’s first Earth Batallion unit and so trained to develop psychic powers. As the pair embark on one last mission, Bob realizes that the story of his career may put his sanity – and his life – on the line.

That old adage that truth is stranger than fiction has never been more apt than in Heslov’s weird yet wonderful film, which is undoubtedly buoyed by its excellent cast. Clooney once again demonstrates that natural charm and expert comedic timing in a role that gives him licence to explore the zanier side of his character, while McGregor is - despite a somewhat shaky American accent - a perfect sidekick, his incredulity grounding the story during its more outlandish moments. They are ably supported by Kevin Spacey, clearly having fun as an ruthlessly ambitious psychic solder, and Jeff Bridges, in glorious Big Lebowski mode as the hippy leader of the Earth Batallion.

Despite its underlying political message about the current situation in Iraq and the very nature of modern warfare, The Men Who Stare At Goats is clearly played for laughs. Those expecting a heavy-hitting conflict movie in the vein of Clooney’s previous Middle Eastern drama Three Kings will be in for a surprise; this is not so much satire as all-out comedy, but taken at face value it works extremely well. Light-hearted and hugely entertaining, it will surely prove to be not just one of the highlights of the LFF but also o the Autumn cinematic calendar. (5 stars)

We can also bring you the official vodcast from the opening night Gala screening of Fantastic Mr Fox, with red carpet interviews with director Wes Anderson and stars George Clooney and Meryl Streep! Just click the link below!

London Film Fesival 2009: Day One Official Vodcast

www.bfi.org.uk/lff