FilmSnobReviews

Title: Snowden
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto
Runtime: 2 hr 14 mins

What It Is: Telling the story of former NSA advisor turned United States government whistleblower Edward Snowden (Gordon-Levitt). In this we gain insight into his life before he was accused under the Espionage Act and forced to find refuge in Russia. When it is discovered that illegal surveillance of the people of the United States is happening at the hands of it’s own government Snowden does the only thing he can do. He steals thousands of documents that prove this.

What We Think: There’s something to be said about a subject as delicate as this. Getting it right is typically not a concern for director Oliver Stone. He tends to prefer a good story to one that is accurate. This has always been the case with his biopics. Whether it is JFK or The Doors he is known for doing just that. Nonetheless JGL works with almost nothing and turns in a good performance. Woodley is grossly miscast as his girlfriend Lindsay Mills and for the life of me I cannot get over her terrible performance. Outside of that it really does sag a bit when not focusing on Snowden’s work. As Lindsay and Edward “fall in love” or deal with personal issues all of that is a miss in Stone’s hands. He’s almost a conscious observer, as if he is on the outside looking in. Far too intrusive with his camera, never does he glide through a scene as if we’re a fly on the wall instead feeling like we’re watching a movie.

Our Grade: C-, I can give a barely passable grade but given the potential this one had I’d call it a failure. As much as I love JGL, and that is a lot the guy can’t catch a break recently. The Walk was good but got no play and The Night Before was great but garnered little attention. All of that considered and I won’t even bring up the terrible performance by Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. Likewise Shailene Woodley was knocking it out of the park. Sadly we’re getting more performance like those found in the Divergent series than so The Fault in Our Stars. Oliver….buddy you gotta give up on the biopics man. Gimme some more narrative tales. I know you have it in you to be great again!