It’s a
Capaldi Fall field trip today! I’ve just
returned from my friendly neighborhood multiplex, where I saw PC on the big
screen in The Fifth Estate. No doubt you’ve seen the trailer dozens of
times in recent weeks, like I have; I must say, I was a little unsure about
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Julian Assange, but seeing the whole performance in
context, he’s extremely good.
The Fifth Estate is, of course, the story
of WikiLeaks. Actually, because the film
is based on Daniel’s Berg book, it tells Daniel’s story more so than Julian’s. Daniel is the central character, the tech
wizard wiling away his days in a drab German office until the charismatic
Julian draws him into the thrilling life of hacktivism. We watch Daniel throw himself into the work,
but gradually become disillusioned with some of Julian’s methods and ideals.
PC
plays Alan Rusbridger, editor of the U.K. newspaper The Guardian. The paper
becomes aware of WikiLeaks early in its rise and helps to organize the international
media coalition that shines the spotlight on its most prominent leaks –
chiefly, the Afghan war logs and the diplomatic cables. There’s an uneasy mixture of feelings behind
the alliance. You have a print media outlet
desperate to stay relevant in a changing world of information, being offered
colossal scoops on a silver platter. On
the other hand, you have a free-thinking maverick who doesn’t play well with
others and may prove unmanageable if his profile gets any more public.
You may
have noticed that I’m talking about The
Guardian rather than Alan specifically.
That’s because most of this aspect of the story is shouldered by
investigative journalist Nick Davies.
Alan is the man in charge, so he’s the one ultimately making the
decisions, but Nick is the one interacting with Julian and Daniel and getting
the lion’s share of the screentime. As
such, we don’t know much about who Alan is apart from his job and the dilemma
that comes with it.
The
always-great Laura Linney is in this film as well. Also, the Guardian
plot features David Thewlis (Lupin from Harry
Potter) and Dan Stevens (Downton
Abbey’s Matthew Crawley.) And, obviously,
Benedict Cumberbatch – he might have the slightest
bit of screentime here.
Accent Watch
A very
nice-sounding RP – well done, PC.
Recommend?
In
General
– A cautious yes. Overall, I think the
film isn’t as good as its cast or the story it’s telling. The start is pretty slow and scattered. Once they start gearing up for the Afghan war
logs, however, it starts to feel more cohesive and cinematic.
PC-wise – Not necessarily. Pretty small role, not much to it.
Warnings
Sexual
content, some language, and brief scenes of violence.
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