Director: Daniel Ragussis
By Alex Watson
Daniel Radcliffe might still be the Boy Wizard to some, but Imperium proves just how much talents lies beyond his spell at Hogwarts. A slow burning and tense affair, director Daniel Ragussis depiction of a young man going undercover with a White Supremacist group is frighteningly realistic. In this world keeping your identity is one thing, but having to go against your principle's to fit in is quite another. Ragussis throughout keeps things on a knife edge as the deeper into the circle our man goes, the more he could be exposed.
Nate Foster (Daniel Radcliffe) is a young FBI agent who is unwillingly used as a pawn by agents Angela Zamparo (Toni Collette) and Tony Hernandez (Nestor Carbonell) to go undercover to investigate White Supremacists who are potentially looking to detonate a dirty bomb within Washington D.C. When integrated into his new surroundings, Nate finds himself the object of constant suspicion but also some grudging admiration for his smarts. As he begins to progress within the inner circle, Nate finds himself pressured to get results on a theory that might not exist.
The interesting thing about Imperium is the way that it views White Nationalism, while it does criticise its attitude and its practices, its a very open-ended look. An opening montage of the hate speeches, literature and events practised by racist groups are terrifyingly spellbinding. From the moment Nate shaves his hair off and adopts his new persona, many of the group's leaders praise his smarts within the heat of the moment. However, no amount of quick thinking can ever truly erase the suspicion that he may not be one of them. There are the dangers of his cover being blown, during a white power march with a violent denouncement, Nate finds himself recognised by a black co-worker. These groups also have very big eyes and ears when it comes to newcomers and each little odd instance is picked up on and Nate has to constantly find a way to cover his tracks.
There are a surprising amount of different levels and faces within the white power groups, Gerry Conway (Sam Tremmell) is the pleasant and amiable faced Godfather of the regime. Hateful right wing radio host, Dallas Wolf (Tracy Letts) is considered the honeypot to the FBI. Nate also finds himself facing the scary Andrew Blackwell (Chris Sullivan) of the Aryan Alliance and the highly suspicious Vince Sargent (Pawel Szajda). Each one of these groups has their attitude and fearful agenda's but each stands out in a different way. The more respect Nate attains within these groups, the more he alienates other members. While the plot occasionally loses itself a little much within explaining the difference between groups and the search for the bomb becomes virtually non-existent towards the climax, Ragussis still puts together a powerful and realistic portrayal of these groups.
As he finds himself getting closer, Hernandez during the final act also has the front burner under him to close this fast. Despite the fact he has what seems to be clear proof, his fellow agents merely scoff at him and tell him to bring more. Nate's relationship with Zamparo is a trying thing because although she is concerned for him, she also frowns upon the methods he uses to gain trust. Imperium is thrown a new curveball in the third with the addition of quiet psycho Morgan (Burn Gorman). Does the bomb really exist? Has Nate blown his big chance with an overly ambitious pitch to big wig Dallas? The finale is like a ticking time bomb and as Hernandez and his cronies close in we wonder will Nate make it alive out of this one? On the whole this a smart and deep thinking drama that makes it audience really think about exactly what methods should be used to get the right message across.
Daniel Radcliffe finally gets a chance to show exactly how much talent he has in what is a career-best turn. Showing a depth of character and emotional conflict rarely seen before, Radcliffe has finally shed his Harry Potter past. Nate is a smart young man whom in even the face of danger is able to keep his head. Toni Collette is also strong as Angela Zamparo, his surrogate mother in the field. Although she uses him at times for her own gain, Collette also gives this character a good sense of concern. In the supporting ranks, Chris Sullivan firmly wins the day as the frightening yet respected leader Andrew. This is a man who is building his own army and has men who would lay down their lives for. Sullivan makes you believe every second of this is in a bold turn.
Imperium is one of the most clever and powerful pieces you are likely to see this year. Listen to its message and draw your own conclusion.
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