- AP Photos
- U.S. officials haven’t convinced Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki to create a multiethnic state—but maybe they should show him Ivanhoe.
The ending of the 1937 Jean Renoir movie Grand Illusion gently comments on the absurdity of war. The fleeing French prisoners cross the border into Switzerland and the pursuing Germans lower their guns out of respect for the rules of combat: it’s improper to shoot your enemies in a neutral country.
But before we surrender our dream of the Iraq that deserves to be—peaceful, united, democratic, multiethnic, and eternally grateful to America—there’s one thing left to try. Neither the Pentagon nor the State Department is adept at peddling fantasy, but Hollywood’s a master of it.
As we wonder what John’s next move will be, we hear the thunder of hoof beats! It’s Richard himself, galloping onto the jousting field with his retinue. The King is back! A stricken look crosses John’s face and he kneels. All kneel. There is a hush.
Maliki now understands that he stands on the threshold of greatness and is overwhelmed. “I’ll have lunch with a Sunni tomorrow,” he vows.
