Who knew Jay Roach had it in him? Alright, may be it’s not
such a stretch that the world’s most successful comedy director (Austin Powers
x 3, Borat, Fockers x 3) should be able to handle a dramedy – but he handles it
so well.
Trumbo tells the story of Dalton Trumbo, not only one of the
greatest Hollywood screenwriters, but also one of the Hollywood Ten – the
screenwriters blacklisted during the McCarthy witch hunts of the 50s and early
60s.
The film treads lightly, switching moods smoothly between
droll comedy (withering put-downs aplenty), drama and tragedy, reflecting not
only on one of the darkest periods in Hollywood history, but also mercilessly
taking the piss out of the film-making industry then and now.
The supporting cast is uniformly excellent, but particular
mentions must go to Michael Stuhlbarg as Edward G Robinson, the ever lovely and
reliable Diane Lane as Mrs Trumbo, John Goodman channelling John Chambers from
Argo as B-movie producer Frank King, and Helen Mirren, possibly for the first
time since Excalibur playing the out-and-out villain, as Hollywood gossip
columnist and self-styled king-maker/king-breaker Hedda Hopper.
But the hero of the piece is Trumbo himself, an all-round
wit and raconteur played to perfection with relish by Bryan Cranston. Awards
nominations will follow in waves for Cranston.
Oscar could fall for this heavily (in order to apologise for Hollywood's role in effectively supporting McCarthyism), and if it does, the scene
that should be played over and over on Oscar night is Trumbo’s face off with
John Wayne: I do believe I punched the air as Trumbo beat the Duke senseless
with words. It’s priceless!
Do not miss.
Score: 9/10
Trumbo is released on
5 February 2016.
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