KILL THE MESSENGER
The first half which involves
Gary Webb's investigation into the CIA distributing drugs to fund the Contras
is tight like ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, a riveting story told well. I was
pleasantly surprised how equivocal and supportive the film was of his investigation
and what he found out. The second half about how they came after Webb and tried
to discredit him is a bit looser but still thrilling. Good, believable
performance by Jeremy Renner and also some nice soundtrack choices - Mott the
Hoople and the Clash. I've read Webb's book DARK ALLIANCE and its interesting
to note that most if not all of what he wrote about the CIA drug conspiracy was
eventually admitted by the government. It's why I never trust the immediate
news about an incident. The US government does terrible things and creates
false or exaggerated threats. In 50 years, the JFK and MLK assassinations as
well as possibly things like the Paris shooting the other day will be revealed
as very different as what the official line is now. I am willing to bet on
that.
A MOST VIOLENT YEAR
Sort of an anti-Godfather in
which the main character works out his heating oil business problems without
resorting to violence (mostly). The
closest he gets is creative bookkeeping and the sacrifice of one innocent character
which reminds us in the end that this is evolutionary – representing the growth
from corruption and crime to business conducted with at least the pretence of
honesty in the 1970's. What worked - Excellent use of
locales and an intelligent story that doesn’t resort to bloody mayhem. The chase scene towards the end reminded me
of THE FRENCH CONNECTION and was a brilliantly shot sequence. What I didn’t like – A bit dull in spots,
could have been paced better. Oscar Isaacs
is a bit too earnest in the main role – we get it he’s honest. I wish they could have had the audience guessing
more about the character. Ditto on Jessica
Chastain as his hot-headed mob princess wife.
An unrecognizable Albert Brooks is underutilized.
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