The Oscar Should Have Gone To "Trumbo"

Trumbo (2015)

Rated R

Starring Bryan Cranston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, David James Elliot, Louis C.K., Alan Tudyk

Directed by Jay Roach

The Story:

Dalton Trumbo (Cranston) was one of Hollywood's best and most prolific screenwriters in the 1940s. Then in 1947, he and 10 other writers were accused of Communism by the House UnAmerican Activities Council and effectively blacklisted by Hollywood. To keep earning a living, Trumbo used different pen names and continued to crank out scripts for low budget films as well as allowing non-blacklisted friends to offer better material which would even win an Oscar that he couldn't even collect.

This is his story.

As I stated in the title of this review, Bryan Cranston should have walked out of the Oscars with Best Leading Man over DiCaprio.

He is a veritable tour de force in this film, being in just about every scene of the movie as either the protagonist or antagonist playing against a great supporting cast.

It's dramatic, it's funny... it's acting.

Perhaps the subject matter gives Hollywood too much of a black eye and that's why he didn't win.

Anything that shows the ugly underbelly of the way Hollywood work(ed)/s might be cause for some to be skittish when bestowing accolades upon a film.

Helen Mirren is effective and totally unlikeable in the film as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper who seemingly takes great delight in destroying Trumbo's career and anyone else she can sink her hooks into.

It's a really good film that is just as relevant today at showing how you have to hold onto your beliefs and convictions, regardless of what the government and others in power try and force you to do.

Because sometimes, Uncle Sam doesn't truly know what's best for anyone.

Very entertaining film, and I quite enjoyed watching this one.

Final Grade: B+/A- range