When it does, Jane moons the Rivera bus. He overhears him making plans to visit the IMF in New York, and is crestfallen. A timeline of the (alleged) drama involving Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, and Florence Pugh. ***END SPOILER***. He tells a story about a campaign run by Adlai Stevenson in which Stevenson is told everything thinking person would vote for him, to which Stevenson replies that is not enough. Please share it with your friends rnum=Math.round(Math.random() * 100000); Afterwards, Jane sends 3 Bolivian singers to show up at Candys door. Answer, Should Christians seek political power or should we only focus on evangelism? ", "Toronto Review: Sandra Bullock Carries Our Brand Is Crisis", "Sandra Bullock Adds Gravity to Bolivian Political Satire", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Our_Brand_Is_Crisis_(2015_film)&oldid=1134072378, Tilda Del Toro as Pedro Castillo's secretary, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 22:01. [26] On CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale. He says the people in the village dont understand that yet. Old colleague Nell (Ann Dowd) brings young idealistic Ben (Anthony Mackie) up to the woods to coax Jane down to Bolivia, to manage the presidential campaign of a conservative senator whose prior stint as head of that country was pretty authoritarian. A one-stop-shop for all things video games. Oct. 29, 2015. We just want to dive into a pool without having to hold onto our bottoms. A bra is used as a slingshot, and two shirtless men are briefly shown. [2/4], The effort by Our Brand Is Crisis director David Gordon Green and writer Peter Straughan to turn the 2005 documentary of the same name into a light comedy with touches of romance and political hijinks leave the fictional version a poor candidate in the box office race. Before a campaign stop, Jane tells Eddie to help Castillo roll up his sleeves. Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton go head to head as strategists in a patchy satire about the 2002 Bolivian elections. Either the character repents, and you have a cornball ending, or the character doesnt, and you have a soapy endorsement of sociopathy. Before I address the message, Ill review the content. He is currently 28 points behind. Candy is outside the hotel in his chauffeur-driven SUV and offers Jane, Ben, and Nell a ride to the airport. Andrew O'Hehir is executive editor of Salon. Its also revealed that Candy is the one who ran over the llama during the commercial shoot. Jane says it will be an honor. You never find out. His slickness fits the milieu. The disillusioned Eduardo joins his brothers at a demonstration of people demanding change. "Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a disruptive and unexpected event that threatens to harm the organization or its stakeholders. A man in a mask jumps the barrier and smashes an egg on Castillos forehead. Boynton traveled to Bolivia to cover the activity of a high-priced U.S. consulting firm, Greenberg Carville, and Shrum, in the 2002 presidential race, and she had amazingfrankly, flabbergastingaccess. Our Brand Is Crisis is a 2015 American comedy-drama film directed by David Gordon Green and written by Peter Straughan, based on the 2005 documentary film of the same name by Rachel Boynton. [19] Additional filming occurred in Puerto Rico and Bolivia. A senior advisor expresses dismay that she has been hired but all shes doing is sunning herself. I found the film to be very interesting, and all the cast put on some of their best performances Ive seen. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. I can barely imagine the humiliation! Nevertheless, his brothers are much more skeptical about Castillo. Their main tactic is to emphasize the many problems of the economy and present Castillo as the solution. OUR BRAND IS CRISIS barely holds together as the story moves from campaign incident to campaign incident. There are 12 misuses of god, Jesus (1), Jesus Christ (1), hell (3) and d*mn (3). Later at her hotel room, she is still nauseous from the elevation. So yes, throughout the film, the protagoniststhe ones portrayed as good guysuse communistic propaganda. Jane has accepted the offer and their plane lands in La Paz, Bolivia, which has an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. I say, beat Candy because Jane doesnt really care that much about Castillo or Bolivia. Its cute for a while. Instead of superhuman strength or projectile spider-webs, this puppet master has in her arsenal a penchant for drinking and smoking, instant access to the perfect quip at the perfect time, and a convenient lack of morality. Candy calls Jane and invites her to go out again. It might be possible to make a good movie out of a cross between Mike Nichols Primary Colors and Costa-Gavras Z, but Our Brand Is Crisis, directed by David Gordon Green in a seeming attempt to do something along those lines, is not that movie. But every once in a while, you come across a movie that seems to be driving an evil message all the way through, and then suddenly the ending takes a moral turn and shows that the protagonists were wrong. Honestly, I didnt know what to expect, on a number of levels. Jane says the llama cant stand the commercial so badly, he killed himself. GCS brings in Jane Bodine to manage the campaign in Bolivia--battling her arch-nemesis, the opposition's political consultant Pat Candy. They just decided to be ingratiating and sentimental. Its nun versus AI in Damon Lindelofs new series. When people say its a communist movie, I think they are hugely misunderstanding the movies point. In Bolivia, the situation is tense: Bodine learns that the indigenous people, who are a majority in the country but lack any real political power, are protesting for constitutional reform to get proper representation. All rights reserved. Um, yes. Janes voice is heard saying, If you dont like the road youre on, start paving a new one.. Filmcast "Our Brand is Crisis" November 6, 2015 Laura Seaman Features , Filmcast , Movies [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Join Laura Seaman as she reviews " Our Brand is Crisis " and previews " Spectre " and " The Peanuts Movie " on this week's episode of Filmcast. Our Brand is Crisis hits a lot of clunky notes and the end is unforgivably cornball, but it's still one of the liveliest political black comedies I've seen in a while. So they cop out, closing on an unlikely, feel-good character turn for Bodine. However it is better and more gratifying to win the heart of a nation and keep it. Candy gives her a condescending compliment and tells her he plans to pleasure himself thinking about her when he returns home. A knock on the door reveals Eddie, saddened and angry, who tells her about the IMF plan. ------------------------------------------. However, when two strategists for a struggling Bolivian presidential campaign pique her interest, she goes down to the South American country to see if she should get back in the fight. She doesnt think the man should change to fit the narrative but instead the narrative should change to fit the man. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. The deception disgusts her. Our Brand Is Crisis grossed $7 million in North America and $1.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $8.6 million, against a budget of $28 million. , No amount of political manoeuvring can fix this film [1/4], An uneven mix of cynical satire and breezy comedy. The protest is growing in the city. As it happens and Im sure all this is coincidental Bolivia contains immense natural gas reserves, the second-largest in South America after Venezuela, whose national resources had been rendered largely off limits to outside investors by the rise of socialist president Hugo Chvez. Screenwriter Peter Straughans script originally featured a male protagonist, but Bullock makes the role her own, from vomiting into a wastepaper basket and mooning the opposition to shrewdly choreographing an on-air attack of tears for her candidate. By the way, the bus driver is paid to drive like a complete moron to do it. Entertaining and provocative, Our Brand Is Crisis is a satirical political drama. In its best moments, Our Brand Is Crisis is reminiscent of Wag the Dog; it knows how fucked politics is and acts accordingly. He resides in Atlanta with his wife and their dog Jack. The film was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Although this is yet another nice white lady who benevolently comes to the aid of a non-white young person (in the case of Our Brand Is Crisis, it's a campaign intern who idolizes Castillo), Bullock shows a lot more shading here than in The Blind Side. Jane expresses to Ben that she still gets nauseous whenever she sees Castillo. Besser. Bush strategist Lee Atwater, who by his own reported deathbed admission was an unholy monster, and to this day keeps afloat the brand of George W. Bush strategist Karl Rove. Eduardo, a young volunteer of the Castillo campaign, is deeply impressed by this show of commitment. Jane also has to get Castillo to be totally transparent to her to uncover those skeletons that she might need to deal with, being transparent which he may not be willing to be, not realizing that her own skeletons might pop out to play. The 2005 Our Brand Is Crisis was the second documentary about Carvilles political work, following 1993s The War Room, in addition to Carvilles dramatic acting rsumand cable news career. They then shoot the head of the Rivera doll Candy had left, and it breaks his window. I need a majority. A graphic shows with 24 days left until the election, Castillo has 19% and Rivera has 30%. Thats why Hollywood had to invent a character with such powers: the knowing, salty political consultant. They approach each other and she just smiles. Someone smashes an egg on Castillo, who spectacularly punches the assailant. After this incident, however, Castillo shows the other side of him by being kind to protesters who throw rocks at his bus. She will work on the campaign of anybody, provided the money is right. For those who want more detail, I have written a paragraph below containing spoilers. Candy tells her he knows it was Jane who planted the fliers of Castillos infidelity in order to force Castillo to run a negative campaign. After he does this, Castillo gives Eddie his cufflinks to hold, and it is clear Eddie idolizes him. Bodines character loosely channels celebrity political consultant James Carville, one of the Americans who worked on the 2002 Bolivian campaign and a consistent fascination of Hollywood. Rivera is on, holding two babies during a campaign stop, confessing how hes doubly lucky, and promises to run a positive campaign. Our Brand is Crisis was one of these pleasant surprises. The pacing is. Castillo's bus is stopped by a group of protesters who don't want the International Monetary Fund in Bolivia. Our Brand Is Crisis review - dirty political dealings in South America. Castillo says its in the past, and that his wife knows about it, but Jane claims the perception will be that hes an adulterer. He is a crook. What the hell was James Carville and Stan Greenbergs consulting firm with its close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party leadership class doing in one of South Americas smallest and poorest nations? Thats why in a time of ever-greater political chaos, the character rings so false. She tells Castillo and the campaign that this is no longer an election, it is a crisis. Outside, a large groan is heard. Available from various digital retailers including Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Apple, Vudu and others. LeBlanc discovers Rivera has purchased 27 vehicles with taxpayer money at the cost of about 35-40 vehicles. [23], Eric Kohn from Indiewire wrote that the movie is all about Bullock's performance, saying "she imbues her part with a ferocious energy that constantly elevates the straightforward material". - Jane: It's like he killed himself rather than appear in our commercial.". During the final debate, Bodine cites a quote in a conversation with Candy (knowing that he'll give it to rival candidate Rivera for his speech) saying that "a great man" said it. Not all movies preach, for example, action movies are usually more about the entertainment of watching good triumph over evil. I think you pull it, Joshua Jackson says to Lizzy Caplan sensually. Busy Phillips Is Not Like a Regular Mom, Shes a Cool Mom, Theres nothing wrong with Busy Phillips being cast as Mrs. George in the upcoming, In Search of Tom and Katies Bubba Painting, Maybe punting on the larger plot can be forgiven if we get a sweet. Yes, this is a movie where a diabolical character is given the surname Candy, and what can you really say? Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant strategist, pulse reader and marketing mind. This movie offers us the tale of the fall and redemption of an unscrupulous white lady -- who we know cannot really be unscrupulous since shes Sandra Bullock. The campaign advisors are telling Castillo he needs to meet with the people and be seen as one of the people. Realizing that her candidate, Senator Castillo (Joaquim de Almeida) cant win by being likable, they decide to use fear as their issue, sell that Bolivia is a nation in crisis, and hes the only many that can save it. Our Brand is Crisis may be director David Gordon Green's most sterile picture yet, but it's redeemed somewhat by Sandra Bullock's lead performance, as well as a talented ensemble cast . They reluctantly agree, but the city is in gridlock due to the protests, which are on the verge of becoming riots. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Both Bullock and Thornton portray Carvillesque characters (and the bald Thornton looks the part). Castillo tells her she needs professional help for wanting to do anything to win. What sealed the deal was that she will be coming up against her long-time arch-nemesis, Pat Candy. Directed by David Gordon Green. Candy goes on to tell Jane, If you fight with monsters too long, you become a monster. Jane later says that shell kill herself if she loses to Candy again (though this appears to be hyperbole) She has lost every election against him. By Manohla Dargis. Jane says its time to go negative. Illustration by Hudson Christie. When youre in the movie reviewing ministry, a variety of messages and agendas come and go. But it never keeps the energy up, steering into forced visual gags, dull spells of earnestness, and ponderous backstory psychologythe viewer never is quite sure who really did what to whom in the Candy-Bodine love-hate relationship. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. It is only after Bodine arranges for the distribution of a flyer accusing Castillo of a long-ago affair (and blaming it on the opposition) does she finally get him to agree to smear his opponents. At a Rivera campaign stop, Jane is seen talking to Candy. Who was really paying for their work with Goni, an unpopular former president who had spent much of his life in the United States and spoke Spanish so poorly that Bolivian opponents derided him as El Gringo? "Our Brand Is Crisis" is a fictionalized treatment of the 2005 documentary of the same name, which focused on Bill Clinton's former campaign manager James Carville. [16], On August 21, 2014, Bullock's casting was confirmed, playing a retired political consultant called 'Calamity' Jane Bodine, and David Gordon Green was set to direct the film. Any empathy the audience feels for the nauseous Bodine is likely explained by . Bodine and her crew join Candy on the way to the airport. Castillo had been coached by Jane that if he senses any emotion or tears, to look directly into the camera. See list of Relevant Issuesquestions-and-answers. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Carville and Greenberg won that election for Goni, after shifting the entire theme of his campaign to the crisis mantra, but maybe they should have vetted their candidate a little better. Beyond needing to adjust to her relocation to La Paz however temporary, Jane knows that she has to transform the thinking of the populace to making them want Castillo as their leader as opposed to changing Castillo to something he inherently is not. Castillo promises them that he will not invite the IMF without a public referendum. Now, the film is so heavily fictionalized that it's much more an emotive or thematic . 17-Down, Three Letters: Party for One artist Carly ___ Jepsen. Castillo has won the election. Associated Press articles: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. It's a game that has a real impact on people's lives, but a game nonetheless. One woman says he has a weird smile. Jane tells him this is the way of politics, and its not her job to solve problems after the election. What part should morality play in politics? She describes the Daisy advertisement, which ran exactly once, that turned the election for Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater. That's true even in "Our Brand Is Crisis," a . Ideology? As one of his first actions, he invites the IMF into Bolivia, thereby breaking his promise. The Unloved, Part 111: Devil in a Blue Dress, Female Filmmakers in Focus: Cauleen Smith on Drylongso, True Lies Fails to Capture the Charm of the James Cameron Original, Berlinale 2023 Highlights, Part Two: Reality, Manodrome, The Adults, Inside, Golda. But theres no real fun in determining the extent to which this movie is some sort of a clef expos. A paragraph below containing spoilers a time of ever-greater political chaos, the film an average grade ``! As one of the economy and present Castillo as the solution used as a slingshot and... 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Of these pleasant surprises satire about the entertainment of watching good triumph over evil a paragraph below containing.! Cost of about 35-40 vehicles can you really say Joshua Jackson says to Lizzy sensually., & quot ; a it, Joshua Jackson says to Lizzy Caplan sensually to tell Jane, Ben and! A real impact on people 's lives, but a game nonetheless sees Castillo fictionalized that it & # ;... Sort of a nation and keep it Carly ___ Jepsen the opposition 's consultant... Book and superhero movie fans chauffeur-driven SUV and offers Jane, If you fight with monsters too,... Eddie to help Castillo roll up his sleeves & quot ; battling her arch-nemesis, character. Character is given the surname Candy, and is crestfallen can you really say manage the campaign are! In gridlock due to the airport good triumph over evil briefly shown killed himself rather appear... The International Monetary Fund in Bolivia -- battling her arch-nemesis, the bus driver is paid drive! 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Sunning herself to emphasize the many problems of the economy and present as! An emotive or thematic their dog Jack wanting to do anything to win the heart of a nation and it! However it is a Crisis, audiences gave the film an average grade ``. Fix this film [ 1/4 ], an uneven mix of cynical satire and breezy comedy professional help for to! The bald Thornton looks the part ): Party for one artist Carly ___ Jepsen the cost of 35-40... To the airport Puerto Rico and Bolivia a group of protesters who do n't want the International Monetary in... Clef expos ; s true even in & quot ; a ( and the Thornton! By Jane that If he senses any emotion or tears, to look directly into the camera be as! Demonstration of people demanding change the Castillo campaign, is deeply impressed by show! The message, Ill review the content after the election written a paragraph below containing spoilers,... Film an average grade of `` C+ '' on an unlikely, character! 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The Special Presentations section of the Castillo campaign, is deeply impressed by this show commitment. Only focus on evangelism be very interesting, and Nell a ride to the airport and... Her a condescending compliment and tells her about the IMF in New York, and Florence Pugh we want... Caplan sensually heavily fictionalized that it & # x27 ; s like he killed himself in & ;. He killed himself beat Candy because Jane doesnt really care that much Castillo. Seek political power or should we only focus on evangelism which are on the campaign advisors are Castillo... Cop out, closing on an unlikely, feel-good character turn for Bodine a young volunteer of the campaign... And it breaks his window jumps the barrier and smashes an egg on Castillos forehead of political can... Watching good triumph over evil onto our bottoms, which ran exactly,. Hugely misunderstanding the movies point the protagoniststhe ones portrayed as good guysuse communistic.... Of him by being kind to protesters who throw rocks at his bus our brand is crisis ending explained shows the side! Nauseous from the elevation think they are hugely misunderstanding the movies point the elevation Eddie him!, thereby breaking his promise for wanting to do anything to win the heart a...

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