Saturday, November 27, 2010

Two Film Reviews -- Fair Game & RED

Fair Game stars Naomi Watts and Sean Penn.  Based on a true story, this film chronicles the unveiling of a covert CIA agent named Valerie Plame (Watts) by members of the White House under George W. Bush’s administration.  This illegal reveal was nudged by an article Plame’s husband writes for the New York Times.  Joe Wilson (Penn), a former diplomat, had visited Niger on a mission for the CIA and when national leaders were discussing the threat of WMD in Iraq, Wilson’s findings in Niger negated their “evidence.”  Basically, this movie is a glaring reminder that we really didn’t need to go to war with Iraq.  There were no WMDs (weapons of mass destruction). 

The movie is good, not great.  I would have liked to see more of Plame at work, on missions in other countries.  The little we do see is fascinating and Watt’s performance is so good, you really want to see more.  Penn is always a pleasure to watch, but it’s also annoying that his character’s ego and drive to uncover the truth ruins his wife’s career in the CIA.  If you don’t get to the theatre to see this, it’s definitely worth renting.  If you’re a Bush/Cheney/Rove loyalist, you may want to skip it.  Sidebar, the make-up for the Rove character is hysterical.



I only went to see this for Helen Mirren, and that’s the only reason anyone should go.  Once you’re there for her, you’ll be like me and say “I wish there were more scenes with Helen.”  An added bonus is John Malkovich.  You may also say “I wish Helen and John had their own movie.”  

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