Since 2013, the study of English and history has dropped by a third; the number of STEM degrees, meanwhile, is soaring. [5] On September 11, Scoot McNairy was added to the cast. But the fact that it wants to also squeeze in a redemptive tale. Candy says he will be going to overseas for a British campaign. The film is directed by David. Director David Gordon Green Writers Rachel Boynton (suggested by the documentary) Peter Straughan (screenplay) Stars Sandra Bullock But when youre reviewing a political drama, you have to be careful to pay close attention. She just needs to hear him deny it. A lethally effective charm delivery system, Sandra Bullock doesn't need to do much to win you over. In the city, Eddie is hanging Castillo posters. See list of Relevant Issuesquestions-and-answers. Though not without its entertaining momentsthe cast, led by Sandra Bullock, is energetic, sharp and gets a fair number of juicy bits to rock out with. On a scale of laminated-eyebrow drama to Lemon Lady Secrets. But every once in a while, you come across a movie that seems to be driving an evil message all the way through, and then suddenly the ending takes a moral turn and shows that the protagonists were wrong. Our Brand Is Crisis review - dirty political dealings in South America. So I knew that, in this case, I would just have to find out for myself. It might be possible to make a good movie out of a cross between Mike Nichols Primary Colors and Costa-Gavras Z, but Our Brand Is Crisis, directed by David Gordon Green in a seeming attempt to do something along those lines, is not that movie. They just decided to be ingratiating and sentimental. A battle-hardened American political consultant is sent to help re-elect a controversial president in Bolivia, where she must compete with a long-term rival working for another candidate. They even resort to publishing photos of their enemy with Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie in the background, so that he has to deny being a Nazi. Jane yells out the window to Candy that Rivera has dropped 6 points. February 27, 2023. Its very obvious when shes going to do it, so it would be easy for viewers to close their eyes until all the yelling and laughter dies down. It already has. Greens last three picturesPrince Avalanche, Joe, and Manglehornfelt like personal indie films, and Our Brand Is Crisis seems like an attempt to reach back into the mainstream with a mix of comedy and pathos, and yet it also comes off like a journeyman feature. It's a case study, if nothing else, of starting with a dubious idea and making it downright awful. The film starts with Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) being interviewed. GCS brings in Jane Bodine to manage the campaign in Bolivia--battling her arch-nemesis, the opposition's political consultant Pat Candy. The website's critical consensus reads, "Our Brand Is Crisis offers sporadic amusement and benefits from a talented cast, but ultimately lacks enough of a bite to add much of interest to the political satire genre. Hollywood loves it some Ragin Cajun, because hes the closest real-life approximation to the magical political consultant of its dreams. In case the true story behind the baffling and approximately well-intentioned Sandra Bullock star vehicle Our Brand Is Crisis makes any difference, here it is: Way back in the innocent days of 2002 (Im kidding about innocent), the high-powered political consulting firm Greenberg Carville Shrum parachuted into Bolivia to take up the cause of a struggling presidential candidate named Gonzalo Snchez de Lozada, universally known as Goni. Rachel Boynton, a documentary director whose work focuses on ideology, politics and power (her most recent movie, Big Men, is about the global workings of the oil industry), came along and made an extraordinary film about that campaign, whose title was drawn from a telling phrase coined by one of the GCS consultants. They make a sling shot out of clothes and shoot something that splatters against Candys window across the foyer. That is, of course, when you can get her out of 'retirement' and give her a good reason to . Reluctantly enlisted to help elect the unlikable bully Castillo (Joaquim de Almeida), Jane gets the bit between her teeth when she discovers that her arch-rival, Pat Candy (Billy Bob Thornton), is running the oppositions campaign. Loosely based on true events, Our Brand Is Crisis, follows Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) and her campaign team when they are hired to help Pedro Castillo win a presidential election in Bolivia. Before long the SUV comes to a stop in the heavy traffic on the tiny streets. Somebody on the Castillo bus says Jane has a great ass! (And she does. - Jane: It's like he killed himself rather than appear in our commercial.". After a traumatizing career as a political campaign consultant, Bodine has retired to the snowy mountains, where she doesnt smoke and makes bowls. Our Brand Is Crisis Review: Champions of Cynicism | TIFF 2015. More fliers are discovered that claim (with pictures) Castillo is a member of a crazy white-robe wearing cult. The reality of U.S. politics is dominated not so much by incompetent leaders as mortals who lack the requisite superpowers needed to steer the ship of state. And yet in David Gordon Greens tale of political fixers, Our Brand Is Crisis, he wants to find hope. Bullock plays Calamity Jane Bodine, a legendary practitioner of the dark political arts who comes out of semi-retirement to navigate the hapless ex-president back to the top job. Did Cirie go too far by bringing family matters into the game? The real meat of the comedy, and drama, comes in the ingenious dirty tricks that Candy and Bodine play on each other, which could kick off a primer on the political practice recently known as rat-f**king (although that phrase is never uttered in the film). The film, directed by David Gordon Green and based on the 2005 documentary of the same name, follows Bullock's character Jane Bodine, a political mastermind brought in to help a Bolivian. Its great fun. Since Im reviewing this film for its DVD release, Ive already taken into consideration the opinions of other reviewers. She offers to reluctantly resign, but Castillo keeps her on. Oct. 29, 2015. They reluctantly agree, but the city is in gridlock due to the protests, which are on the verge of becoming riots. (A heavy back story is subsequently revealed, followed by an ever heavier back story to the back story.) The villagers are angrily blocking the bus, and Castillo, against the wishes of Jane, gets off to talk with them. Janes voice is heard saying, If you dont like the road youre on, start paving a new one.. This was the lowest wide release opening of Bullock's career, beating 1996's Two If by Sea ($4.7 million). But theres no real fun in determining the extent to which this movie is some sort of a clef expos. Politics is a dirty business, but Our Brand Is Crisis doesn't stick its hands into the muck sufficiently to be as entertaining or stinging as it could be. "Our Brand Is Crisis" is both the title of and a line from a new political comedy about American consultants who take over a Bolivian presidential campaign. By Manohla Dargis. Underneath it all plays Ten Years Afters Id Love To Change The World, the absolute nadir of Woodstock-era protest rock; the movies sound editor deserves some kind of award for smoothly deleting the songs opening volley against dykes and fairies.. ***END SPOILER***. LeBlanc discovers Rivera has purchased 27 vehicles with taxpayer money at the cost of about 35-40 vehicles. NOTE: This spoiler was submitted by Jason. Castillo says its in the past, and that his wife knows about it, but Jane claims the perception will be that hes an adulterer. Candy can be seen watching the action in the background. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. But it seems as though screenwriter Peter Straughan and director David Gordon Green realized near the end that theyd written a feature-length film celebrating consultants ability to install a lying, oligarchic, IMF-beholden stooge to a South American presidency, and decided they ought to wrap things up more palatably. The next scene shows the state department giving an anti-cocaine speech, which will help Volasco. The deception disgusts her. The film stars Sandra Bullock, Scoot McNairy, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie, Ann Dowd and Joaquim de Almeida. Answer, Should Christians seek political power or should we only focus on evangelism? [17][18] Filming also took place in the Bonnet Carr Spillway in Norco in St. Charles Parish. When youre in the movie reviewing ministry, a variety of messages and agendas come and go. . But the main mystery to me was the message of this film. The interviewer says she's been known by many names, most notably "Calamity Jane". We know this stuff happens, but its still clarifying to see the curtains pulled back. She quotes, It may be alright to have a power that is based on guns. 17-Down, Three Letters: Party for One artist Carly ___ Jepsen. Sandra Bullock (who shares producer credits with, among others, George Clooney and Grant Heslov) is the reclusive political strategist Calamity Jane Bodine, who turned her back on her profession after one dirty trick too many. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. What are you going to do? and then leaves. Later shell claim he got the room intentionally to get under her skin. He takes a room across the balcony in Janes hotel, where he can meet her stare, undress her with his eyes, and psych her out. Negative ads are now running for Castillos campaign. Outside, a large groan is heard. Eduardo, a young volunteer of the Castillo campaign, is deeply impressed by this show of commitment. But as a whole, "Our Brand is Crisis" is a messy affair that sputters along when it should be humming with assured cynical momentum. While it would have been nice if the supporting characters were just as well developed (Candys entire purpose seems to be to enter a scene, taunt Jane, and then leave), Jane is a compelling figure, and its unfortunate that the film doesnt match her complexity. The cinematic trope has retroactively kept a light on devilish George H.W. Loosely based on true events, "Our Brand Is Crisis," follows Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) and her campaign team when they are hired to help Pedro Castillo win a presidential election in Bolivia. At another commercial set inside a warehouse, several llamas are there, and Castillo is set to compare the future of Bolivia with llamas, who work hard. Candys played by Billy Bob Thornton, and his serpentine southern charm and minimalist tonsorial stylings suggest real-life political maven James Carville (and it is perhaps no accident that Thornton played a deep-fried political strategist in Primary Colors, too) who was in the aforementioned documentary. 107 minutes Cast Sandra Bullock as 'Calamity' Jane Bodine Anthony Mackie as Ben Billy Bob Thornton as Pat Candy Zoe Kazan as LeBlanc Scoot McNairy as Buckley Ann Dowd as Nell Director David Gordon Green Screenplay Peter Straughan Writer (original documentary) In David Gordon Green's OUR BRAND IS CRISIS, the film is obviously in existence to point out how politics, no matter the nation, are used in gaining votes from image rather than truth. Power? Finally, she meets with Castillo for their first conversation. She gives him a bottle of Paul Newman Steak Sauce. [22], Our Brand Is Crisis grossed $7 million in North America and $1.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $8.6 million, against a budget of $28 million. She reveals she has had mental issues before and suffered from depression. Thats why in a time of ever-greater political chaos, the character rings so false. It is revealed that she retired after violating election laws. Jane is seen having a moment of introspection. It is only after Bodine arranges for the distribution of a flyer accusing Castillo of a long-ago affair (and blaming it on the opposition) does she finally get him to agree to smear his opponents. Someone smashes an egg on Castillo, who spectacularly punches the assailant. After this incident, however, Castillo shows the other side of him by being kind to protesters who throw rocks at his bus. Ideology? Preview", "Star-Driven Casualties 'Our Brand Is Crisis' & 'Burnt' At The B.O. She comes to realize shes better than that. The premise doesn't really show up until the end of the movie. [29], "Box-Office Preview: Halloween Forecast Bleak for 'Our Brand Is Crisis', "Sandra Bullock's 'Our Brand Is Crisis,' Robert Redford's 'Truth' to Premiere at Toronto", "Sandra Bullock and David Gordon Green Team on 'Our Brand is Crisis', "Scoot McNairy Joins Sandra Bullock in 'Our Brand is Crisis', "Billy Bob Thornton in Talks to Join Sandra Bullock in 'Our Brand Is Crisis', "Anthony Mackie Joins Sandra Bullock in 'Our Brand is Crisis', "Joaquim de Almeida, Zoe Kazan Join Sandra Bullock in 'Our Brand Is Crisis', "Participant Boards David Gordon Green's 'Our Brand Is Crisis', "The real story of "Our Brand Is Crisis" is how we screwed up Bolivia: Behind the bland Sandra Bullock movie lies another strange-but-true tale of botched American meddling", "Sandra Bullock in Talks to Star in George Clooney-Produced 'Our Brand Is Crisis', "George Clooney's 'Our Brand Is Crisis' sets Metairie casting call", "Louisiana Film TV Production Jobs Hotline September 23, 2014", "Political drama starring A-listers films in Norco", "Reynaldo Pacheco Is The Beating Heart In 'Our Brand Is Crisis', "Sandra Bullock's 'Crisis' Gets Awards Season Release Date", "Our Brand Is Crisis (2015) - Box Office Mojo", "Bradley Cooper, 'The Martian' To Scare Away Sandra Bullock & 'Scouts' At Halloween B.O. From there, Jane uses every trick at her disposal to try and beat Candy. All the stupid tricks are here, the ones people laugh at onscreen in the context of a film like this but fall for in spite of themselves on their TVs during football games. The last movie I reviewed was Burnt, which was called a comedy by many, but I found it not to be a comedy at alljust a drama with occasional humor. Bullocks Jane Bodine offers nothing new. Walking into the room with the campaign team, she gives a fiery and inspirational speech about how important it is to go negative, and that anybody with a problem with that will be given a set of balls. When people say its a communist movie, I think they are hugely misunderstanding the movies point. Its educational and leaves you with serious thoughts about political power. At the start, Jane has been out of the consulting game for several years, following a traumatic mayoral race. Candy calls Jane and invites her to go out again. Jane says it will be an honor. Then Jane figures out a hook: To make Castillo more attractive than the frontrunner (a young, engaged populist who represents hope and change), she has to sell the idea that the country doesnt need someone, well, likable. She doesnt believe hell catch her and he expresses disbelief. [13] On December 11, 2013, Sandra Bullock was in early talks to star in the film, while Clooney chose not to direct, and his starring in the film was also unconfirmed at that time. The campaign believes Castillo should apologize as soon as possible but Jane disagrees. She explains its not relevant whether its true. When Jane leaves the meeting with LeBlanc, she instead instructs her to dig up dirt on Castillo, their own candidate. It is a record turnout and at days end, the results are: Castillo 23.5%, Rivera 22.8%, Volasco 21.9%. After he does this, Castillo gives Eddie his cufflinks to hold, and it is clear Eddie idolizes him. Our Brand is Crisis is more than just the scenario Jane (Sandra Bullock) is selling to the Bolivian public in hopes of bringing her candidate Castillo from a blip on the radar to leading the. They then shoot the head of the Rivera doll Candy had left, and it breaks his window. The corporations whined and complained, but ultimately decided that 18 percent was a lot better than nothing. It is only the knowing, salty political consultant who can bridge the gap between political reality and tidy fictional narrative. ***SPOILER*** Castillo wins the election, and immediately breaks all his promises and turns out to be a tyrant. A bus race ensues around dangerous bends and cliffs. Instead, both end up outside of their hotel rooms so they can see each other. . Candy tells her he knows it was Jane who planted the fliers of Castillos infidelity in order to force Castillo to run a negative campaign. Jane is goaded by patronizing men into proving herself in ways shes not proud of. Back at Janes hotel, Ben calls and informs her there will be a protest downtown. And even hes not even that close. Jane says There is only one wrong in this, and that is losing. But at the end, the team realizes how wrong they werein a shocking way. Its only when the camera is on top of him that we see the pool of blood. Jane gets a call from Pat who tells her to turn on the TV. However it is better and more gratifying to win the heart of a nation and keep it. Candy gives her a condescending compliment and tells her he plans to pleasure himself thinking about her when he returns home. Thanks for reading the spoiler. Answer, Does HIGH MORAL CHARACTER matter in political leaders? The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Were not supposed to earnestly admire any of these people, but we are supposed to guiltily admire their unfailing ability to guide impossible undertakings, such as the practice of politics, to victory through whatever means. This is a competent film that shows how foxy political campaigns can be. "Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a disruptive and unexpected event that threatens to harm the organization or its stakeholders. Another screenshot shows Castillo has 10% to Riveras 39% with 80 days until election day. 1h 47m. She opens with footage of an anti-government riot that came less than a year after the election. Send your questions or comments about this or any other spoiler to: THEMOVIESPOILER.com. Not seeing what she highlighted, Candy asks about it. I need a majority. Um, yes. At first Jane is defensive, claiming that she was just doing her job, but soon her heart is softened as she realizes the mess she helped to make. Calamity Jane Bodine (Bullock) was a vaunted political strategist, but the emotional toll of the campaigns coupled with substance abuse problems forced her into early retirement where she may not be happy, but shes grateful that shes calm. 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