I didn't follow WikiLeaks when it was happening. I'm one of those people who doesn't watch the news (much). I don't watch it because I'll get pissed off about something that I have absolutely no control over. You see a lot of that nowadays. On the internet anybody can say anything about anybody. And the whackadoodles (Teapublicans, Evangelical Christians) band together and fuel the hate. I don't have room in my life for that.
So, I don't watch the news and I avoid whackadoodles like the plague.
When I had the opportunity to watch this movie and review it, I had a vague idea what it was about. I kind of figured maybe it was one of those films where I'd be shouting at the screen (government and big business put me in that frame of mind). And shout, I did. But not just because of the gummint (stupid asses - when will they learn to keep their opinions to themselves and never, ever put something in any kind of writing - they deserve what they get) and greedy corporations (I love a good take down of huge financial institutions that rob the little guy while lining the old white men suits' pockets), but because of a great idea going too far and innocents may end up getting hurt. Because someone loves the power he has with this information. The "need to know". Like that person we all know who can't keep a secret to save his or her life, because it makes them feel better about themselves. That makes me shout, too.
When the movie was over, my first inclination was to run back to the office, boot up the old computer and do some research. This film intrigued me that much. I wanted to know more.
I laid down until the feeling passed.
Anyway, I found this movie very entertaining.
Benedict Cumberbatch (who plays BBC's Sherlock Holmes, a series I recently started watching on Netflix) plays Julian Assange. A very gifted actor, his face says more than words alone. Julian is a hard man to read, having quite a history, from childhood on. The paranoia that was so contagious...
And watching Daniel Brühl, Julian's partner/employee Daniel Domcheit-Berg, is completely believable as he watches the real Julian unfold and we watch his unease turn to fear of what Julian can do.
It's a very good movie.
The special effects and music are amazing and on the Blu Ray bonus features, the director and the artists explain how and why they did what they did. I know Brian was confused about the office when Daniel sat at his computer across from Julian for the first time upon "meeting" his co-workers. Watching the bonus feature, I was happy to find out my take on the symbolism was right on. Well, I kind of missed the beach thing....
I recommend this movie.
Synopsis: Based on true events, this fast-paced global thriller takes you behind the shocking headlines. The Fifth Estate reveals the Wikileak’s rebel founder’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) quest to expose fraud and corruption to the widest audience possible: the internet.
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s “Sherlock Holmes”, Star Trek: Into Darkness, War Horse) as Julian Assange, Daniel Brühl (Rush, Inglorious Basterds, The Bourne Ultimatum) as Daniel Domcheit-Berg, Laura Linney (TV’s “The Big C,” “John Adams” mini-series) as Sarah Shaw, Stanley Tucci (The Terminal, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games) as James Boswell, Anthony Mackie (Hurt Locker, The Adjustment Bureau) as Sam Coulson.
Director: Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, part 1 & 2, Kinsey, Gods and Monsters)
Writers: Daniel Domscheit-Berg (book “Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website”); David Leigh (book “WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy”); Luke Harding (book “WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy”); and Josh Singer (adaptation)
Producer: Steve Golin (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, Babel)
Release Date: January 28, 2014 (Direct Pre-book: 12/3; Distributor Pre-book: 12/17)
Bonus Features: The Submission Platform: Visual Effects (10:17) - From conception and pre-viz, through on-set photography and post, this featurette will explore the VFX challenges of bringing the submission platform to life.
In Camera: Graphics (6:22) - A study of the techniques and work involved in capturing the on screen graphics in camera, and allowing realistic interaction with the actors’ performances.
Scoring Secrets (9:15) - A detailed examination of the soundscape created by both the composer Carter Burwell as he records his score, and the film’s music supervisor as songs are chosen for the unique soundtrack.
Trailers & TV Spots - Theatrical Trailer (2:32), Titles (:30), Button (:30), Estates (:30), Decide (:30), Critics Review (:30), and Untold Story (:15)
Ratings: R
Feature Run Time: 124 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Languages: English, Latin Spanish, French Canadian
Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, French Canadian
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