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| Bryan Cranston & Diane Lane (r) star in Trumbo |
Merry Christmas Mr. Trumbo
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: The successful career of 1940s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) comes to a crushing end when he and other Hollywood figures are blacklisted for their political beliefs. Trumbo tells the story of his fight against the U.S. government and studio bosses in a war over words and freedom, which entangled everyone in Hollywood from Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) and John Wayne (David James Elliott) to Kirk Douglas (Dean O'Gorman) and Otto Preminger (Christian Berkel.) Directed by Jay Roach. Also stars Diane Lane, Louis C.K. and John Goodman.
Lane asks, "Where are the liberals, all of a sudden?" Labels can be dangerous, but liberal pales in comparison to Mirren's "piss ants" and the backlash/blacklisting directed at Trumbo and company. Trumbo is yet another dark chapter in America's checkered past; and makes you wonder what (or who's next.) Politics aside, Cranston's fantastic as the titular character, delivering an Oscar-worthy turn in (and out) of his bathtub office. Unfortunately, Trumbo turns downright depressing (Louis C.K. is almost unbearable to watch) midway through, almost usurping the far superior (and funnier) first hour. Worth your money, for Cranston's performance alone.
Grade: B
