Movie Review: The Fifth Estate

[shadowfireflame]

Short version: go see it; if nothing else, it’s thoughtful and informative and needs your support. And is an absolute must for Cumberbatch fans.

Longer version:

Comments

[splix]

Excellent review. I didn't like it as much as you did, but overall I wholeheartedly agree with your remarks. And yeah, he was totally astounding. I'm a little nettled that a lot of people won't see it - indeed, hardly know who Julian Assange is. It's shocking. I do hope time and word of mouth will bring more people to the film.

[shadowfireflame]

Thank you very much indeed. And yes, "nettled" is a great word for it. I'm also quite concerned about people who blame Benedict for the movie not doing well, and I'm not sure what else he could have done for it, as I feel he was superb. I suppose I can't force other Americans to become interested in something that I feel is important if they're not ready for it, as it seems from the box office they weren't. Maybe it will improve. :)

[daasgrrl]

It's late and I'm tired so probably more later, but I enjoyed reading your take! Some scattered responses:

That said, the movie does try to resist having a firm opinion on either Assange or WikiLeaks

- true - actually, I'm not sure the film had a firm opinion on anything much at all *g*

- yes, the cinematography was so jarring! I didn't notice the music at all, though, for good or ill, so that probably enhanced your experience in ways I didn't even notice

- I agree, he wasn't too bad being "Assangey", although I wanted to speed him up a bit at times. LOL. And he was very good as always - I just found the accent horribly distracting in a way his "normal" voice obviously wouldn't have been

[shadowfireflame]

Interesting! Did the accent strike you as right for an Australian?

[daasgrrl]

I've done a full rant on my journal but this was really difficult for me because obviously I know his actual voice far too well, so I tended to focus too much on the 'differences' rather than the full effect? My friend thought he sounded Australian-ish most of the time but not like Assange (he thought BC was too broad). I thought about half the time he actually DID sound like Assange, when he was just speaking normally, but could in no way pass for an actual Australian. Very helpful, I know XD

[tommy50702]

Saw it this morning on cable channel. Riveting!

[shadowfireflame]

Agreed! :)