This rendition of Robert Penn Warren’s famed novel is like a puzzle where we can clearly make out the picture from the completed border, but lacks the full impact because too many pieces from the middle are missing.
Willie Stark (Sean Penn, MYSTIC RIVER) is a local politician who tries to fight corruption in his town and gets knocked down. However, when the corruption comes to light years later, he looks like a hero. This makes low-rung businessman Tiny Duffy (James Gandolfini, TV’s THE SOPRANOS) think he might be a good candidate for governor. But when reporter Jack Burden (Jude Law, ALFIE) tells Willie that he’s really just a patsy to take votes away from one candidate thus making it easier for another candidate to win, Willie decides to run on his own, playing up his hick roots to get the poor on his side. After Willie wins in a landslide, the rich folks of Louisiana team to get him impeached. Willie hires Jack to find dirt on Burden family friend Judge Irwin (Anthony Hopkins, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). As Jack digs, he reunites with his first love Anne Stanton (Kate Winslet, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND) and her brother Adam (Mark Ruffalo, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME), who are the children of a beloved former governor.
The major difference between the Oscar winning version and this one is that Willie takes much longer to become corrupt in the original. In the 1949 version, Stark is viewed as a straight-talking idealist, who with power becomes corrupt. In this version, Stark is a poor hustler who is just like any other corrupt politician — gives hand outs to his core base while he lines his own pockets. The quick change in the character seems too abrupt. This also creates problems with Jack’s character. We are left wondering throughout what his motivations are for working for Stark. What does he see in Stark that would make him dig up dirt on the judge who was like a father to him? I could guess, but the film never gives us concrete enough reasons. We know that Jack is looking for something untainted to believe in, but why follow Stark when his chinks show so soon?
As with so many films, when the narrative falters, other things begin to stick out like directing and editing choices. Director Steven Zaillian, who made one of my all time favs — SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER, seems to lose track of his subject. At the end there is a wonderful shot on the state crest of Louisiana. It says a lot about how corruption connects both sides of the political spectrum as well as how rich and poor people are no different. It’s a great shot, but those themes never resonated enough in the central character, Jack.
Though we are left with too many questions with the character, the all-star cast does not disappoint. Penn gives a showy performance, but it’s wonderfully suited for his larger than life character. In adding too much nuisance, the film isn’t fully successful, because it tries too much. For fans of Zaillian, who has written some of the best screenplays ever such as SCHINDLER’S LIST, or the actors, the film is well worth your time. All others should stick with the tighter 1949 version.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
