The phrase "Based on true events" opens the trailer and forms expectations about Oliver Stone's new film "Snowden." A story about the CIA and NSA contractor, who turned to disclose classified U.S documents, is a world known overheated investigation. Before plunging into rushed judgements about this widely expected movie, one should answer a simple question: What is the possible purpose of dramatising this story? The answer may be that honoured director was occupied with desire to enlighten those who know a little about a controversial story and to bring a reasonable argument to a whirlpool of Edward J. Snowden's fans and detractors. If so, this on-screen portrait of a controversial whistle-blower is a moderate in a good sense version of political drama, that's worth watching.
The star-filled fictional thriller begins in a Hong Kong hotel room, where Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets with Laura Poitras (Melissa Leo), and journalists Glenn Greenwald (Zachary Quinto) and Ewen MacAskill (Tom Wilkinson), revealing information about omnipresent surveillance machine, constructed by U.S. government. The data mining of American citizens disclosed in a spooky dim room with a little but compelling suspense. As films follows the story, a balanced presence of suspense helps to convey the director's message without excessive flamboyance. Mr. Stone solution gives viewers a chance to think for themselves on Snowden's political conversion and avoids energetic physical performance, replacing it with abstract and computer influenced code of cinematographically restrained conduct. The message itself encourages viewers to find themselves in a highly insecure position and bring doubt to a concept of data gathering for the sake of protection, as argued by Snowden's on-screen boss (Rhys Ifans).
Mr. Gordon-Levitt deserves a high estimation for his conveyance of Snowden's transformation from enthusiastic CIA and NSA analyst to a traitor, disillusioned with tactics of his mentors. He performs a young patriot, who feels responsibility for his agency's unscrupulous approach in conducting unprecedented surveillance. Mr. Stone does not dig into ramifications of whistle-blower's actions on behalf of national security – he, instead, delivers a simple evidence of immense data mining of citizens in a still and restrained manner. However, the picture is engaging as composers Craig Armstrong and Adam Peters along with Oscar-winning cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle ("Slumdog Millionaire") embellish sound and picture in service of thrilling suspense.
Snowden's relationship with Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley) is an important complement to the whole picture of a hero, who is torn between love and duty. Although Shailene Woodley shows a good performance when adding a heart to the story, her character's place is obviously not central, being limited to the point of main character's humanization in the eyes of the audience.
"Snowden" is thrilling in its reflection of modern uncertain technological reality with unfriendly glowing screens and creepy tech sounds. Mr. Stone's standard approach reaches a high level of restraint and seems to lack fire, but only for those who expected "Snowden" to be irascible and electrified version of whistle-blower's life. Issues of personal data secrecy and presence of computer war are framed carefully with the director's intention to question a good judgement of authority.
Watch the trailer below:
Reach Staff Reporter Mariia Kovaleva here.
Annenberg Media