Review of Trumbo (2007) by Anthony D — 09 Mar 2016

When viewed from the perspective of the protagonists in the film, Trumbo is an engaging look into the past. It evokes sympathy for them, and the viewers feel solidarity with their cause. They are seen as courageous crusaders fighting for their rights. And, considering the quality of the man's work, it certainly gives us an appreciation for the talent of the man.

The script is solid in its point of view and evokes emotion in its presentation. Yet, whenever a film based on an historical event is released, the mood of the times is often ignored, and we are given a present day perspective on what transpired in the past. Such is the case here.

Having just defeated despots in Germany, Japan and Italy in World War II, America was on edge and concerned about communism, and rightly so. It is estimated that at least 20 million Russians were killed by Stalin's Red Army during the revolution, and many claim the death toll was many times higher. General Patton wanted to invade Russia just for that reason after WWII. Chairman Mao killed and tortured at least as many, or more, in China.

In nearly every film, historical news report, and other retelling of the "Blacklist", the blacklisted are portrayed as innocent bystanders who just cared about worker's rights and equality for all, and I am sure there were some who fall into that category. However, Trumbo himself was an admitted communist, as were his compatriots.

As a believer in free speech, I find Trumbo's position to be a conundrum. Do we as a country give people the right to promote a political philosophy that if instituted would likely revoke free speech, and in essence destroy the basic tenets of our Constitution? The result of course would be that free speech would be lost to one philosophical idea, communism. When does free speech become insurrection?

I don't know the answer to that question, but I would be kinder to the film if it had through some means shown the devastation and misery that was caused by communism to balance the sympathetic point of view it portrayed of Trumbo and others that were blacklisted. It would have at least given some understanding to the reason communism was such a concern during that time.

Although I know this review will ruffle the feathers of many who read it, if anyone does. But, to me it is the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.