Review of Amistad (1997) by Leonardo - Malacay - S — 15 Feb 2009

I found this one to be a real mixed bag. At once it's Spielberg and Kaminski's most bland work (repetitive shots and way too much fog machine make the eyes roll), while it's also a great screenplay with a fantastic story. This is one of the few film experiences where I actually stuck around to watch to figure out "what happens next" despite its shortcomings as film art. The success of the film is that Spielberg and the writer valued a very important historical moment with an inspirational gaze and perhaps that's all the movie needed to do. To be a History channel film of the week.

I'm a sucker for history.

Also, Matthew McConaughey who I usually don't like past being the infamous stoner-loser from DAZED & CONFUSED, is actually pretty good. Even when the pacing and energy begin to lag, and boredom sinks in, little McConaughey kicks the old mule along, at least until Anthony Hopkins comes in at the end and whips everyone's ass all around the courtroom.

Blandness has it's moments.