Trumbo (Jay Roach, 2015) wr. John McNamara; Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Michael Stuhlbarg; 1947, Dalton Trumbo, Hollywood's top screenwriter, and other artists jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs
Manohla Dargis:
It’s impossible to tell if the filmmakers don’t trust the audience or simply don’t have the chops, guts or heart to do this story justice. The blacklist remains vital and lamentably topical, and it’s clear why someone thought it was a good time to pull Trumbo back into the limelight. But the man who helped give us Gun Crazy, an American masterpiece, among many other titles, deserves a smarter portrait. The movie doesn’t just dumb down history, it also elides and slides over critical milestones, both personal and public, as well as the complex ideological divides that turned friends into enemies. Its Trumbo is a charmer who wears his contradictions so lightly you might not notice them, despite the occasional ribbing from his friends. You have to wonder if the real Trumbo would recognize him. NY Times.
Manohla Dargis review, NY Times.
Garry Gillard | reviews | New: 24 March, 2021 | Now: 25 March, 2021