Adrenaline Junkie: Review of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Directors: Glenn Ficara and John Requa

By Alex Watson

Those hoping for a light hearted war journalism satire might be surprised at the borderline serious tone of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Smartly directors Glenn Ficara and John Requa (the duo behind Crazy Stupid Love) find humor in the most bizarre of places. An impressive performance from Tina Fey also suggests that the comedian could maybe graduate to more serious roles in future. Though the most potent aspect of this picture is the portrayal of how living in the danger zone can be an addiction.

Kim Baker (Tina Fey) is a copywriter for an unnamed news outlet who is suddenly informed that she has been selected to be sent to Afghanistan to cover the war. At first struggling to adapt to the different set of ways and learning the ropes of journalism, Kim establishes friendships with reporters Tanya (Margot Robbie) and Iain (Martin Freeman). Soon her stories begin to gain more traction and she quickly becomes obsessed with getting a bigger story. However, in a land filled with danger, her desire will lead her into some dangerous paths.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot isn't a movie written for laughs per minute and despite a slightly uneven tone, it gives a realistic depiction of life in wartime. Kim, at first, is disappointed to be sent to the 'forgotten war' as all big news outlets are covering Iraq. Particularly as she was selected because she one of the unmarried and childless staff. When she arrives in Afghanistan she is assigned a fixer Fahim (Christopher Abbott) and a Kiwi bodyguard Nic (Stephen Peacoke). There are usual awkward fist stumbles such as dealing with the blowing wind whilst attempting to conduct an interview. The moment she is taken on her first detail commanded by General Hollandek (Billy Bob Thornton), she become hooked on covering the war by watching Marine engage in a firefight with insurgents.

The fellow journalists she meets are quick to aid her and amidst the grimy halls where the journalists party and drugs and alcohol flow some charming deep bonds are made. Being one of the few females among the burned out veterans makes her a 'serious piece of ass' according to Tanya.   The battle for affections between Scot journalist Iain and buff bod Nic makes for an interest side plot. Thankful this isn't a story of self-discovery and the risks that Kim takes are of great concern to many. One scene sees her going to tremendous lengths to film one cleric denouncing television, only to discover moments later she at a men-only meeting. Fahim is the voice opposition to her growing thrill seeking as he is a newlywed who is frightened of consequences.

While Whiskey Tango Foxtrot might score points for originality, its lack of political agenda combined with its unclear tone makes it less memorable. At times, there are moments of The Hurt Locker type tension which aid the film early on as Kim goes from desk jockey to the front line. Aside from some excellent individual pieces, Ficara and Requa are not able to find the solid ground needed. This picture opens well but is hindered by a severe lack of depth. Also, it suffers from what is an entirely unnecessary rescue mission ending scored to 'Without You' smacks of corny. The depiction of the challenges Kim faces a female journalist in Afghanistan is commendable, shame the rest of the film cannot follow suit.

Tina Fey shows a new side of her acting skills here and along with Margot Robbie's excellent turn the pair make for a lively central duo. The early scenes of Tanya showing her new colleague the ropes feel genuine and how funny vibe to them. Fey, in particular, demonstrates that a future in serious cinema might not be a foregone conclusion. Martin Freeman makes for a unique suitor for Kim's affections but makes the most of his characters arrogance. Billy Bob Thornton steals the supporting honors with a wonderful turn as the terminally bored General. He is a man more concerned with a trooper firing an $80,000 missile than successfully completing the target. Each time his appears Thornton is breath of fresh air.

While it might miss the high aim it had for itself, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is still a funny and engaging look at war. It may not connect on an emotional level but the ideas along with the performances are still worth a look.

The Masterplan: Review of Our Brand Is Crisis

Our Brand Is Crisis

Director: David Gordon Green

By Alex Watson

On paper Our Brand Is Crisis should have been a winning political comedy, but despite a fine cast the story just doesn't ignite and the needed tension is sorely lacking. Needed an added bite, the script by Peter Straughan fails to make full use of the interesting satire it has at its disposal. Director of stoner comedy The Pineapple Express and the innuendo filled Your Highness, David Gordon Green was a surprising choice to helm this. Although he shows that his work can go surprisingly deep, Green sadly misses the target. 

Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) is a political strategist who has gone into seclusion after some widely covered personal errors which gained her the nickname 'Calamity Jane'. An olive branch is extended to her when she recruited by Ben (Anthony Mackie) and Nell (Ann Dowd) to help out with a political campaign in Bolivia. The candidate Pedro Castillo (Joaquim De Almeida) is out of touch with his public and behind in the polls. The real tempting reason is the chance to get one over on her former rival Pat Candy (Billy Bob Thornton) who is heading the campaign for the opposition.

In some places David Gordon Green does succeed in making Our Brand Is Crisis shine, one sequence where Jane gets drunk with some locals raises the most laughs. The faults of this picture are not obvious but the story is the biggest fault with the story. Jane's past is not nearly touched upon as much as required and we never get a full sense of her inner conflict. Likewise with her relationship with Pat Candy, referred as a "Sicilian Blood Feud" by Rich (Scoot McNairy). This love/hate relationship is not explored and there is a lack of brooding hate which makes their encounters undercooked.  

Politically the story could have been an interesting one as Castillo has already been President of Bolivia before and when he did his privatizing of industries didn't go down well! Electing him to office again is a seemingly impossible task. Being produced by Grant Heslov and George Clooney, you would expect so political depth and perhaps so good commentary on the Bolivian economy. Green sadly only brushes over this area and despite rumours of the country having a possible IMF bail out which could cripple the poorer regions, we are left to wonder exactly what the game plan is? Resurrecting Castillo's campaign does offer some rib tickling injections of humour- Llama gets run over while making commercial, leading Jane to muse "It's like he killed himself rather than appear in our commercial!" Other than these brief glimpses of hope there is a stale after-taste. 

Morally there is a problematic centre about its chief characters as Jane is continually self loathing over the people she chooses to serve. At the beginning we get a sliver of her convoluted persona as she tell us how she believes in getting the vote and not wondering about the politician himself. Jane like others in her field is a gun for hire who after fighting the good war shall just locate the next battlefield. Earning the nickname 'Calamity Jane' has hurt her deeply and she is now far from home attempt to resurrect herself for a cause she maybe doesn't full believe in. There is a big sense of hurt and betrayal on both personal and business levels during the climax. Although the sentiment rings hollow and it feels ever pushed upon us, it does leave our brain cells ticking. 

The principle strength of this picture comes from the strong central turn from Sandra Bullock. Breezing through the movies problems like they are nothing at all Bullock makes great use of her comic timing. Despite having little to work with she easily dominates each scene she appears and becomes this movies main selling point. A woman forever  since her 2009 Oscar win, Sandra Bullock is now in definitely contention for another nod. 

Our Brand Is Crisis really should have been a far stronger and more satirical effort from David Gordon Green but his want to make this centuries Wag The Dog hasn't come to fruition. Lord know what would have happened if he cast James Franco and Danny McBride? 

In The Name of the Father: Review of The Judge

TIFF EXCLUSIVE

The Judge

Director: David Dobkin

By Alex Watson

Returning home to your old surroundings is always a hard thing, because it always stirs up emotions and memories (sometimes even regrets) that you thought you had once left behind. We are never sure of the reactions that will have when we see our loved ones, but we hope they are pleasant. For my first Toronto International Film Festival, I was lucky enough to catch a gala screening today of the Robert Downey Jr starring The Judge (complete with an introduction by director David Dobkin) at Roy Thomson Hall. This has opened to some mixed yet positive acclaim, but will this be a TIFF 14 darling?

Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr) is a successful Chicago attorney who is forced to abandon an important case to attend his mothers funeral in Carlinville, Indiana. For Hank, this means having to re-establish contact with his father Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall) whom he loathes. But when he arrives in town, a major bombshell is dropped when his father is charged with first degree murder! Forced to defend his fathers honor and reputation, slowly a variety of bombshells will hit Hank and he soon learns the man he hates could well be a very different man than he imagined.

The Judge is a movie that while very heart rendering and emotionally prominent, isn't quite the sturdy drama that we were hoping for. At the centre of the film, the father and son relationship is one that is very strained from years of disconnection. Hank is a character that has to fight to win our respect because when we first meet him, he is an arrogant hot-shot attorney who defends the guilty and is preparing to face a bitter divorce with his cheating wife. Joseph, a man of honest integrity openly scorns the man his son has become and rejects his help at every turn. Both men are equally as stubborn and bitter as each other, but now they are forced to work together and they resent it!

David Dobkin is a surprise choice for this type of film given his more comedic roots, and in places his lack of confidence handling this type of drama shows through. Our characters are never given the space they need to flourish and while tempers are frayed and tears are wept, it cannot help escaping the fact that Dobkin hopes we will look past this and be swayed by the heart melting content such as Hanks reconnection with old flame Sam (Vera Farmiga). I admire Dobkin for his efforts, and he his showing signs of moving forward and perhaps being a solid director. But this effort just feels too drawn out  to really be a contender for the big prizes.

Family matters play an important part of this movie and each member of the Palmer household is suffering individually. Older brother Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio) was robbed of a baseball career by a rash act by Hank, and quietly has suffered in silence ever since. Joseph however, is a man who mind and body are starting to betray him and his claim of having no memory of the night of incident, only fuels Hank's belief that the recovering alcoholic has fallen off the wagon. But as we frequently learn, things are not so straight forward and secrets will come to light that threaten to make Joseph's defense sink or swim.

While The Judge has its moments of great laughs and humor, such as Hank's excellent put downs on three hard drinking locals, it is the courtroom scenes that provide the real fireworks. The relationship between the two men is literally being put on trial and this is the ground they will use to make or break things. The introduction of vengeful prosecutor Dwight Dickham (Billy Bob Thornton), who drinks from his own retractable silver cup gives the proceedings the gripping feel it requires. The finale though, will melt even the toughest of hearts as Hank grills Joseph on the stand. What comes next is truly earth shattering! Prepare your bottom lip for severe shaking.

The element that keeps this film alive however, is the electric chemistry between Downey Jr and Duvall. Currently stepping out of his Iron Man suit, Downey Jr shows just what a versatile actor he can be as Hank. Thankfully, it is his underplaying of any number of emotionally charged moments that make his performance so memorable and he succeeds in winning over a once skeptical audience that Hank is worthy of our love and attention. Duvall, in his strongest and most featured performance in some time is a revelation. Joseph is a sour and miserable old coot, but the 83 year old finds the ground the work with to raise him up to a level that we can appreciate. A once proud man, Joseph has now been reduced to a decaying wreck that is on his last legs. Through Duvall, we feel this pain thoroughly.

While we had hoped that The Judge would be an affair to remember, it slightly misses the mark needed. The performances of Downey Jr and Duvall are most certainly award worthy. But it is let down by a rather formulaic direction and script. But on the affecting scale, this scores very highly and gives us hope for Dobkin's future in film.