A controversial computer story with a heartbeat: privacy vs. security vs. emotion

Rating: 7/10 (15 September 2016)

The wonderful: It is enjoyable drama - we connect with the characters and understand their dilemmas. Oliver Stone transformed a dry/robotic stream of data coding,data mining, and complex computing story into a story webbed with human sentiment. It was an informative film. But it's not a surprise that our world has to go off-limits in the subject of surveillance...
The Acting? Great! I loved Rhys Ifans performance! Such mystery and paradoxical cold warmth, fabulous! I also loved Eastwood's fresh role, and the irreverence of Nicolas Cage. Shailene plays a spontaneous and emotionally charged photographer in conflict with Snowden's job's secrecy (favorite scenes? Hawaii and Japan). Joseph Gordon's performance is authentic and heartfelt. Despite his computer focus, he pours out his emotions during moments of revelation and interaction with his girlfriend. We learn of Snowden's vulnerabilities and the worries that drove him to exit the system he was in.
the not-so-good: Minimal action though. Not much of a thriller either. Multi-layered complex (three levels of story: Snowden's personal life, his job and challenges, and the telling-to-the press) and slow plot. Is our protagonist a criminal or martyr? hero or anti-hero? it's a story with ambiguity. Perhaps this is what makes it s good story? Snowden had to approve this story. In conclusion, is a "matter-of-fact" biographical drama, but I guess it couldn't really be a different way.
the take-away: We learn about the human side of a computer hacking story that shook the Nation. It does raise awareness. Because of the dangerous threats to humanity, surveillance is everywhere. I had the opportunity to watch the live satellite interview between Oliver Stone, the actors, and Snowden. Stone wanted to dramatize Snowden's life experience and the circumstances that drove to do what he did, "you take out what you want" he said about the message of the film. The issue here was one individual's conflicted and growing mistrust of the global surveillance and breaching of people's privacy. But as the CIA official (Rhys Ifans) said it at the beginning of the film: is a trade-off between privacy and security. It's true we want privacy, but it's true we want a safe world free of the constant terrorist threat.
Conclusion: Its thought provoking. Perhaps, one day Snowden will use all his amazing talent to help humanity fight the great evil of terrorism. This film reminds me of the Tom Hanks/DiCaprio/Spielberg film: "Catch me if you Can"
Go and watch it in goodwill.
Cheers!