Viewing the trailers for this movie excited me very much, and my expectations couldn’t have been higher. Then, in disbelief, I began to read all the negative press that the film was generating at Cannes. I doubted very much that a film that had seemed so promising could have bombed so badly, especially with the very talented cast. Well, I am very happy to tell you that the film met and even exceeded my already high expectations for it. That shows how much you can trust those artsy film reviewer types.

Sean Penn is absolutely brilliant in this picture in his portrayal of Louisiana everyman politician Willie Stark. Every role he has chosen over the last 5 years seems to be automatically up for award, and I believe this is no exception. Jude Law also stands out in his role as Jack Burden, a newspaper reporter with strong upper-class roots and connections. The supporting cast adds even more color to the intriguing story.

Power changes everyone who comes into contact with it; don’t let anyone tell you differently. The movie shows how a man with deep convictions makes his way to the most powerful position in the state and how he is transformed throughout the journey, from idealist to cynic. Some other reviewers have said that the side stories with Jude Laws character Jack Burden dilute the story. I disagree. The story of Jack magnifies what is going on with Willie and what the true background of power is. Wrapping up, the film concludes in startling fashion and reveals yet another layer to the grand tale.

This is a movie that will make you think about what really might be happening in and behind all the political action we see every night in the news. The story unfolds with many layers and subtleties that pull you in to show what is really going on throughout the whole movie. Seeing this movie might not change the way you view the world (it could), but it will at least make you more perceptive about what happens in the political arena of large money and big power. This picture is going to win some serious hardware when awards season rolls around.