|
Post by queenzod on Mar 21, 2020 4:55:59 GMT
So I finally saw this! I was naughty and spent $$ to buy it during this time of social isolation and our drought of new BC sightings to improve my mood.
I really liked it. The period elements were all so beautifully done - costuming, lighting, cinematography - and the acting was top notch as usual. Despite Edison being an arrogant egomaniac, it became very clear that his need to fight during the ac/dc conflict was born out of grief and rage over his wife’s death. So many parts were touching, and Michael Shannon continues to impress me. I wanna hang with him, he seems so cool. There’s something about tall, laconic guys that is just so funny & attractive.
And JP Morgan’s nose, lol! I thought the makeup people were actually fairly generous on that one. The real JP Morgan’s nose was so huge it was unbelievable.
Ben continues to improve, even though this was shot a long time ago. His American accent is pretty faultless now. And that last shot of him in the theater with that inscrutable look on his face was sublime.
For some reason, though, the film leaves me feeling sad, a lingering...something bordering on nostalgia. I’ll have to ruminate on it some more, I guess. Maybe part of me misses (although I wasn’t around for any of this) that era when powerful men worked for the betterment of the people, not just to line their own pockets. That there was decency, honesty, and a desire to serve the less fortunate in many of those robber barons, even though they did pocket obscene amounts of wealth.
The contrast between them & todays crisis, where guys like Richard Branson can’t even pay his employees while the business is hurting, and asking other employees to chip in *their* sick leave, is disgusting. All these gigantic corporations begging for bailouts when the last time they got one they spent most of it buying back their own stock is sickening.
Anyway, good movie! 😃👍🏼
|
|
|
Post by sgev1977 on Apr 19, 2020 1:48:07 GMT
I watched it on Amazon. Sadly, I think it wasn't the director's cut version. Anyway it's entertaining with a lot of talented actors and a beautiful cinematography. The problem is the rhythm. It's just too fast and I don't think it helps to the story. I have read about the war of the currents and I read the script years ago (I don't remember too much about it but it still seems to me they changed a lot. At least in this version) so I knew what it was happening on the screen but I can imagine that people not familiar with the story would feel confused or bored because the film just doesn't stop to explain things. It just go and go. Such a shame because it has a few wonderful shots that deserved to be slowly enjoyed but the camera seems to in a hurry!
It should be interesting to compare it with the newest version. Also why Amazon released this one and not the "good one"?
|
|
|
Post by queenzod on Apr 19, 2020 1:55:36 GMT
Now I have to watch it again & think about your comments! Thanks! 😉
|
|
|
Post by sgev1977 on Apr 19, 2020 2:03:19 GMT
If you bought it then you probably watched the director's cut (supposedly the superior one). TBH I'm not even sure which one I watched but it's the one on Prime Amazon. I guess it's the one they released in Europe because it doesn't have "the director's cut" phrase on the title. It's just "The Current War". Also Edison is very sympathetic (apart of the lies, manipulation and the hypocrisy, of course!). I understand he is nastier in the newest version. And Gomez-Rejon talked about fixing the rythm and tone of the film and that's undoubtedly the main issue in the movie I watched!
|
|
|
Post by queenzod on Apr 19, 2020 7:41:22 GMT
He is VERY nasty! Probably BC’s least likeable character. But, his behavior is driven by grief so it’s understandable.
|
|
|
Post by roverpup on Apr 19, 2020 11:46:17 GMT
For my money Richard III from The Hollow Crown (or even creepy rapist Paul Marshall from Atonement) far outdo Edison from The Current War in the "unlikable" character department. Hell, he plotted against his entire family, killed multiple people (including a very young child), and thirsted for unbridled bloody revenge against all, for his ambition to have a royal position that he thought he deserved.
|
|
|
Post by sgev1977 on Apr 19, 2020 14:05:29 GMT
I think that Richard is the one who did more harm to the world but he is sympathetic! That's the greatest part of the Shakespeare play! His Richard III is basically a monster but the audiences applaud his actions until he kills the kids. That's limit for Shakespeare!
IMHO his most evil character is Paul Marshall. He is not just creepy as hell but it's clear BC, the actor, didn't feel any sympathy for him and he plays him like pure evil. You feel for Richard III, even when he is basically a psychopath, but you can't feel or justify Marshall actions! He is just pure evil.
In the movie I watched, Edison is portrayed as a decent guy who do what he does because his natural competitive and showy personality goes amok when he discovers his wife is dying but even in his more malicious state he doesn't seem to intentionally wanting to harm people. For example, the scene in which he provokes Tesla to quit his job is the product of a misunderstanding. Edison probably was cheap with his employees but Tesla is presented as someone eccentric with some autistic traits so he just couldn't understood Edison was just joking when he promising him, an unknown, a huge sum for his work.
His worst action is the involuntary invention of the electric chair. Something he totally recognize as evil but the impact on the film is very weak. I remember it was central part on the script. In the film is more like: At least this horrible death happened to a murderer! Whatever!
That's why I think I watched the European version. The film doesn't seem to fully recognize that he is doing nasty things.
|
|
|
Post by queenzod on Apr 19, 2020 15:34:03 GMT
In the directors cut, it’s very clear that he knows what he’s doing is wrong (he clearly states to burn his letters to the “humane execution” guy), to cover up his involvement, but his ego & drive to discredit Westinghouse override his own humanity. He just wants to win, and that takes precedent over everything.
Yeah, Paul Marshall is pretty horrible, but I still think Edison (in this portrayal) is worse than RIII. Maybe b/c there was NO sense of warm humor in Edison. Richard, for all his foul deeds, had a sense of humor, dark as it was,
|
|
|
Post by roverpup on Apr 19, 2020 15:58:42 GMT
Fine arguments all. And of course, being an unlikable character has nothing to do with my utter fascination with all these despicable personalities. RIII is perhaps my most favourite performance of BC's - well tied, I guess with Patrick Melrose (who of course is definitely not an unlikable person for me).
Personally I felt pity for the Edison character because BC made me feel his fragile humanity despite some of his heinous acts. He was a tragic figure... Marshall, not so much. But of course he isn't as of developed character as RIII or Edison.
|
|
|
Post by queenzod on Apr 19, 2020 18:00:57 GMT
True, Marshall was just your basic baddie with no development. But think, in the what, 10 minutes he was on screen a decade ago Ben created a character we’re still talking about! That’s pretty amazing. I take great delight in his “you have to bite it” line delivery. So chilling!
A personal quirk, but I find people with colossal egos to be pretty vile. So much damage has been done to the world b/c of people who think they’re better, more important, and worse, more competent than anyone else. I find them infuriating. And learning to be modest & humble is one of the hardest things an ego driven person has to learn. Nigh on impossible.
I think before TCW his most unlikeable character, for me, was Assange. Maybe b/c I find the real life Assange so despicable.
|
|