By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Denzel Washington | Jon Voight | Kimberly Elisa | Liev Schreiber | Meryl Streep
Country: united_states
Year: 2004
Running time: 130
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368008/combined
Bruce says: “A brave move it was to remake the 1964 classic THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE. How can a film compete with a predecessor that starred Angela Lansbury, Laurence Harvey, Frank Sinatra and Janet Leigh? Answer: cast Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, and Liev Schreiber. Indeed the acting in the 2004 version is what saves the film from being a throwaway thriller. Otherwise, the film is a bit flat. The thrill of the original film just isn’t there.
“The plot has been updated from the Korean War to Desert Storm and Manchurian takes on a new meaning in 2004. The evil threat to world order has moved from the left to the right. The Manchurian in this remake refers to Manchurian Global, a conglomerate that is reputed to be the policymaker for everyone since Nixon, a conglomerate which feels eerily similar to Halliburton. Thus the film takes on a contemporary flavor, questioning the effects of globalization, corporate influence in politics, and the lack of checks and balances between the United States government and the Pentagon.
“For those who love a good villain, Senator Eleanor Shaw (Meryl Streep) will fit the bill perfectly. Streep spits out campy lines like ‘You are oversimplifying things – just a bit,’ with an evil overtone that reveals her true nature. Liev Schreiber, one of the best stage actors around, is terrific as the henpecked, brainwashed Raymond Prentiss Shaw. Raymond has won the Purple Heart for fearlessness and bravery in leading his troops to safety after they were ambushed during Desert Storm. With his mother strong-arming him and bullying her fellow politicians, Raymond is suddenly a Vice-presidential candidate. Indeed, his mother has big plans for him, plans that might be thwarted when Ben Marco (Denzel Washington) appears on the scene. Ben was the officer Raymond reported to in Desert Storm. To complicate matters, Ben has met a young woman (Kimberly Elise) on the train who takes him to her sister’s apartment. Their meeting may be more than coincidental. Then suddenly Jocelyne Jordan, the girl Raymond once loved, reappears in Raymond’s life as well. Jocelyne is the daughter of Senator Tom Jordan (Jon Voight) the front runner for Vice President until Eleanor Shaw made a few threats and promises. What looked like a smooth trip to Washington may become a bumpy ride.
“Denzel Washington is such an intelligent actor; he betters every film with his presence. His role is now a morphing of Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey roles in the original. He may borrow a bit of this and that from both Sinatra and Harvey, but he adds many details that are all his own. He is a joy to watch.
“Jonathan Demme has one of the most interesting portfolios in the film business. Never satisfied to be cubbyholed as a genre director, he has made feature films such as SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. SOMETHING WILD, MARRIED TO THE MOB, PHILADELPHIA and MELVIN AND HOWARD interspersed with documentaries STOP MAKING SENSE, COUSIN BOBBY, STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK and THE AGRONOMIST. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is his second remake following THE
TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE, a critical and financial disaster.
“Rachel Portman has created a contemporary score to compliment the change from the 1960’s to the present. The problem with high-level rock and rap music as background is its relentless nature. There is only drive, no quiet moments and no crescendos. The overall effect of the dramatic content is lessened as a result. With such strong actors to carry the film, the music wasn’t always necessary. 3.5 cats”
Georgette says: “I found the remake much more chilling than the original. Perhaps it is because I first saw the original when it was rereleased. The Cold War was at its end so the prospect of the Communists brainwashing some soldiers made a good story, but I didn’t feel the same threat that is present in the remake. The new storyline feels oh so real, especially in this election year.
“One thing I missed in the remake was the scene at the beginning of the original that demonstrates that the soldiers have been brainwashed. They are sitting on what they think is a stage at a meeting of a ladies garden club. Of course they are not, and the contrast of their perception and the reality makes this a scene that has stayed with me for a very long time.
“I thought Demme did a good job updating the story, and there were truly fine performances all around.
“It gets 4 cats from me.”
Bob G. says: “It’s hard to find technical fault with Jonathan Demme’s big budget remake of the John Frankenheimer 1962 classic. It strikes all the relevant hot buttons, virtually screaming ‘Dubya Sucks’ and extolling the evils of Manchurian Global AKA Halliburton, but it has none of the subtle nuances of the original. Whereas the older film used the paranoia of the Cold War to insinuate the evils of big government=big business puppetry, this version goes after each angle with sledgehammer flourishes, from Meryl Streep’s scenery chewing to the ridiculous chip implantment ruse at the heart of this film’s plot. I suppose if you’re of a certain demographic this is all very easy to swallow, but to me it all seems as flaccid and unnecessary as the Wyclef Jean remake of CCR’s ‘Fortunate Son’ that bookends the picture.” 3 cats