Our Brand Is Crisis (2015)
Rated R
Starring Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie, Joaquim de Almeida, Ann Dowd
Directed by David Gordon Green
The Story:
In 2002, former Bolivian President Castillo (de Almeida) is so far behind in the presidential election polls, the group that is trying to get him elected turns to former election strategist "Calamity Jane" Bodine (Bullock) to do what she can to get him elected. The problem is, the people don't want him in charge, so Jane works to create a message that will resonate with the people, even if her candidate doesn't.
Based on a true story.
Can you imagine that?
An election with candidates so awful, that you have to spin anything to try and promise some hope and whiff of chance that your candidate is the only one that can save the day.
Bolivia 2002, or America 2016?
Either way, it tries hard to be both a comedy and a drama. A thriller and a political satire.
Perhaps it tries too hard? There's a good story in there, but sometimes trying for a bit or a moment, the story feels forced and doesn't organically flow.
It all amounts to not a whole lot, other than some really good actors given not a whole lot to do except bark at one another.
Thornton plays very well as the yin to Bullock's yang.
The main problem: this is Sandra Bullock. If we are supposed to have any doubts that she can be devious and willing to risk it all, those ideals are packaged into one of America's sweethearts, and it's much harder to buy that as the audience.
And there are several moments that work, the llama scene and the election coverage spring to mind.
Joaquim de Almeida impresses as always. He could be a bad guy in any role on any movie, and you will believe it. And he has enough charisma and presence that you like to hate him, or hate to like him.
It was good, but with a few tinkerings, it could have been great.
Now I have to wonder which of the 2016 campaigns Jane is working on...
Final Grade: C+
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