Review of Trumbo (2015) by Wesley B — 27 Nov 2015
Trumbo is a dream film for film buffs, chock full of star cameos and memorable moments of the gold and silver ages... yet Trumbo himself might notice that the film is a talky, static piece that could use a third pass.
The film is at its best skewering rather than ennobling the film business , from John Goodman's no nonsense B grade film mogul to the stentorian narcissism of John Wayne. The blacklist years certainly offer natural drama and easily defined notions of good and bad, but this is essentially a small, sad, tale and glitz can't make it more than what it was.
That, I suspect, is why Helen Mirren's icy, somewhat shrill Hedda Hopper overwhelms the proceedings,memorable for the wrong reasons. Anchored by strong turns from Cranston and Lane, the film will surely satisfy those on Trumbo's side all along.
But the nagging feeling that a bigger, better film lies within makes what is here less than fully satisfying.
This review of Trumbo (2015) was written by Wesley B on 27 Nov 2015.
Trumbo has generally received positive reviews.
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