Reviews

And I am not talking about DJT's hair or even him. Although yes, someone else to transplant him would be good. Very good. This Canadian jem of a show takes the USA to where it needs to be. From the wars that we are responsible for (YES we are!!!) to the refugee crisis that came from it, to the humanity of those peoples we assign as less-than, we need this. Thank you Canada, thank you. Now...please let me in!!!!

Well, I suppose that Jack is somewhat of a hero, or anti-hero. I wish that studios would do more good old-fashioned films like this. Leave it to Danny Boyle to turn a romantic comedy fantasy screen play into an instant classic. I really don't understand why it only has 6.7 stars. I do believe that it is a generational film however. I am in my fifties (boomer/X Gen cusp) and I went to see it with my aunt and uncle who are in their eighties and they really liked it but they were not really a part of that generation who experienced Beatlemania, even if they observed it at the time. And millennials and Z Gen's really don't have an appreciation of what the Beatles actually did to the popular music scene at that crucial point in the 60s. They really don't understand the importance and impact that the Beatles had culturally on the entire world. And of course pop music has changed drastically in just the last decade or so with all the hip hop influence. Makes me wonder what the Beatles would have done with hip hop. Would they have adapted it and built upon it? That is what they did best with the musical strains of their time, so why not? Anyway, great film. Fun, fun fun! Himesh Patel is very endearing and such a tremendous voice in his own right. And Lilly James is a remarkable actress who unfortunately is stuck in the role of pretty girlfriend in several excellent movies (Yesterday, of cours and Baby Driver) and I hope she can break out of that an go on to some lead roles in the future. I think she has potential. I can even see her in a Marvel character role. Yes, as a superhero.

Okay. I'll admit that I gave this film a ten because it should have a higher score altogether than the 7.3 it has, and I wanted to up it. But a solid 8 at least or even a 9, for sure. There are at least two reasons why this fine film is not getting a higher rating, I believe. One is that there are many people (including critics) who look only at it from a political standpoint, both left and right. And those on the right are not going to like it no matter what, fine acting, writing or whatever. The same in the left but conversely (and a smaller number). Secondly, this is a slow and thoughtful film that will not go over with many young viewers who are used to fast paced action and CGI content. they will find neither in Trumbo.

But, for students of history and for people who like a good story, without the fluff, it is all here. Classic good vs evil dynamics coupled with the inherent contradictions. The struggle of lost faith and eventual redemption. And perhaps mostly, excellent social dynamics especially centered around family loyalty and the struggle of holding to ones personal values.

As for the history, there is much here. As stated above more than any film ever having dealt with the subject. Films like "the Front" and "Guilty by Suspicion" are indeed good films that, especially at the time where breaking ground for a more nuanced exploration of the subject. That Trumbo is a biography is advantageous. A real biography, not a overly fictionalized and caricatured profile of the era. This despite that fact that some of the characters are fictionalized, they nonetheless represent the experiences and attitudes of real people. Louis C.K.'s Arlen Hird character being one. Dalton Trumbo may have had a better time of it than most, such as Hird. It is thought by some that the rising star of John Garfield was killed (literally-a heart attack) by the effect of the HUAC on him. This was a time, as the film states when people were fighting for their professional and personal life against what could be called a creeping fascist tendency in the US political environment. The fear and reaction and self promotion of many (ie John Wayne, Hedda Hopper et al.) is evident here.

The writing is excellent. My hat goes off to John McNamara and Bruce Cook for their adherence to historical accuracy and verisimilitude. The dialog is remarkable and keep you involved. It keeps you thinking and hits at an emotional level that few films do at all anymore. But it all comes together with the excellent direction of Jay Roach. To bring together the historical and personal is such a way is no small feat. He deserves an Oscar (as do McNamara and Cook).

I could go on...but just see the movie. You won't regret it. You can still watch Star Wars at Xmas...