A Strathairn showcase, during which you have to be sharp to understand everything that is being said

Rating: 7/10 (8 August 2009)

I tried to watch this once without subtitles, but I quickly found it a bit too hard to follow, so I aborted and let the flick simmer, while waiting for the right opportunity. Finally the movie was on television here in Finland, so I soared in the air and went for my prey like a falcon. And I wasn't disappointed.
I normally do not like movies that take place in the 1940 - 1950s range, something about the era repels me. I can't say if it's the fashion, the cars or the fact that everyone smokes all the freaking time. However, in this flick the time period didn't hurt at all. If anything, it just added to the atmosphere.
This film is Strathairn's show, pure and simple. He makes this movie what it is, and it is pretty compelling just to watch him speak (with a cigarette in hand, of course). The fact that the film is black and white can prevent some people from enjoying it, but I didn't find that detail at all distracting. What I did found distracting were the musical montages, where the woman sings some hideous jazz songs. Hated those.
The movie is written and directed by George Clooney, who is by now emerging as one political son of a *female dog* to me. I always find it fascinating to follow political scheming in films, although in real life I couldn't care less. Go figure. One thing I find amusing though. Why is that dude from Twin Peaks always a tragic character? I guess he is just good at playing a somewhat damaged individual.
All in all, a very solid political drama, but one has to be interested in that sort of thing, as there is scarcely anything else than speech in the movie. Very fast and heavy speech, I might add.