Movie Review: TRUMBO

Lately, I seem to surrounded by a lot of 1950's American Socio-Political themes; from the Coen brother's comedic satire "Hail, Caesar!" to the time-traveling-off-to-save-JFK, Stephen King science fiction "11.23.63", to the brilliant biographical "TRUMBO" 

I just saw "Trumbo" recently and I must say that I definitely got more than I bargained for. You see, I was expecting a compelling biopic with powerful performances and I got exactly that, the bonus was that we (Paul and I) found ourselves laughing at the well delivered wittily lines. I also found myself (just-me) tearing up (yes, the crybaby is at it, again) from some surprising heart breaking scenes. 

Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor, Bryan Cranston is Dalton Trumbo, the highest paid screenwriter in Hollywood (hence, the world), yet in the 1950's America is gripped with a fear of the red-faced terror-Communism. 

To satisfy, anti-Communist witch hunters in Congress, the HUAC or House of Un-American Activities Committee investigated hundreds of Americans, suspected of being Communist sympathizers. 

The investigation also made its way to Hollywood, putting the spotlight on Trumbo, along with nine other colleagues, they would later be known as "The Hollywood Ten" who refused to answer questions when they were called in Congress, denying the committee's right to ask them about their political beliefs and denouncing these hearings as a violation of their human rights. 

From these hearings would come "The Blacklist" a list of actors, directors, producers and screenwriters who could not find work just because they were associated or just suspected of being Communist supporters. Faced with an impending loss of livelihood and with a family to support Trumbo is forced to do the one thing he only knows how-to write. 

Trumbo wrote screenplays under false names, selling them to Colleagues who could work. He eventually wrote for less popular studios and continued writing in any name, other than his. 

Nothing can stop a true genius as two of Trumbo's screenplays, written under other names won an Oscar, now the Blacklist is coming to an end but without its share of survivors and victims. 

Bryan Cranston is a force to  be reckoned with in his role, he captures the strong and eccentric Trumbo and even owning his strange work habit of writing in a bathtub. Yes, soaking in a tub, complete with a make-shift table, complete with a glass of whisky and a cigarette in hand.  

Cranston is surround by an equally strong cast, with Helen Mirren playing Hedda Hopper, a former actress turned columnist who supported the Hollywood Blacklist, going as much as to personally making sure that Trumbo and his ilk, never get to work again. As usual, Mirren is a delicious menace, appearing onscreen with a wide variety of hats and always looking out for her best interest. 

I always love seeing John Goodman on screen, he is like everyone's lovable uncle. In the film, Goodman is Frank King of the King Brothers Production, who employs Trumbo (under different names of course) to write for them. 

8.5 out of 10, "TRUMBO" is the story of a writer who was silenced because of his beliefs and yet he was still able to find his voice and do the one thing all of his detractors worked hard to make sure he couldn't -work. Hollywood is an interesting place, made up of different people with different beliefs and in the 1950's they were persecuted because of it.  We have come a long way since then but it is stories like Trumbo's which should serve as a reminder that we should never go along those dark ways again.

"TRUMBO" is now showing in Cinemas and is distributed by Solar Pictures.