Review of Battle in Seattle (2007) by Laura J — 22 Oct 2008
Stuart Townsend shows great daring in taking on a subject like the Battle of Seattle for his directorial debut. The subject matter is complex and difficult. However, he succeeds in telling a riveting tale of what happened in the WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle.
He narrates a story which works both as a strong political statement and as an effective human drama. At the very outset, he gives a quick outline of the World Trade Organisation and its agenda for the layman.
The problems with the WTO are set out in a more detailed manner in the remainder of the film. Using a docudrama format, Townsend gives us a well-researched and fairly accurate portrayal of the event but uses fictional characters.
He takes on various perspectives from the protesters (Henderson, Benjamin and Rodriguez), the cops (Woody Harrelson), the establishment (Ray Liotta), the city members (Charlize Theron), the anarchists (Joshua Jackson), the media (Ivana Milicevic) and even the representatives within the WTO (Rade Serbedzija).
The overall message is clear: people matter more than profits; and Townsend delivers this message with a passion that by itself is enough to move the viewer. The film has been executed with an eye for detailing.
The combination of archival footage and choreographed scenes is very well done and achieves the desired effect of giving a feel of the mammoth level on which the protests took place. At the level of characters, some work and others don't.
The sub-plot of Charlize Theron and Woody Harrelson is hauntingly painful. Also, the parts involving Liotta, Milicevic and Rade Serbedzija are also extremely good. However, the script gives way to some unnecessary melodrama when depicting the three primary characters protesting i.
E. Henderson, Benjamin and Rodriguez. Nevertheless, the ensemble cast pitches in excellent performances particularly Theron and Harrelson. Overall, Battle in Seattle is an important and passionate film that has something important to say.
Solid Recommendation!
This review of Battle in Seattle (2007) was written by Laura J on 22 Oct 2008.
Battle in Seattle has generally received positive reviews.
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