For all his personal foibles, and despite having (intentionally?) gone a bit flabby, Crowe is the consummate actor. He delivers another commanding performance, reminiscent of his powerful roles in "The Insider" and "Gladiator." The character development is largely confined to him, with increasingly less focus in descending order on co-stars Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams. Helen Mirren as a Katherine Graham-type character makes the briefest of appearances, a waste, given her considerable talent,with Jeff Daniels and Jason Bateman playing oleaginous blowhards. Robin Penn Wright is virtually the only other cast member with an important role. All others are essentially bit players.
IMDb's description of the "partnership" with law enforcement is a bit overstated.
Despite occasional lapses in continuity, i.e., "$26,000" and the questionable diversion of focus from a real and present threat to our national interests embodied in the thinly veiled corporate Eric Prinz/Blackwater and Halliburton-based presence, this remains a gripping tale, well worth seeing.
It might have been far better.
IMDb's description of the "partnership" with law enforcement is a bit overstated.
Despite occasional lapses in continuity, i.e., "$26,000" and the questionable diversion of focus from a real and present threat to our national interests embodied in the thinly veiled corporate Eric Prinz/Blackwater and Halliburton-based presence, this remains a gripping tale, well worth seeing.
It might have been far better.
