The Big Brass Ring (1999)
Blake Pellarin is on the campaign trail to become president of the United States. While making a stop in St. Louis, a chance encounter brings his past back to haunt him.
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I haven't seen such a textured, layered piece of work in a long time. Granted I had to watch it twice to get everything in it. But I've had to say that about "Touch of Evil" and "The Big Sleep" as well. This film is a masterpiece about American politics and character. I would recommend this movie to anyone as one of the best films of the year.
The screenplay should have been buried with Mr. Welles. I actually can't figure out which was worse, the story or the overacting by the international cast (I use the word loosely) of characters. It was like watching a bad High School play. I think the director was trying to do the movie as if Orson Welles was directing it. He failed. I wondered what had become of Mr. Hurt. Now I know. There must be a serious lack of scripts coming his way in order for him to take this part.
I never knew running for governor was so leisurely. Plenty of time for extra curricular activities...The movie was interesting but confusing. I like a little mystery in my movies, but it was tough to keep all the balding white guys with multiple names straight -- especially in the flashbacks.However, CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour (Irène Jacob) never looked so good.
I recently saw George Hickenlooper's "The Big Brass Ring" at the Toronto Int'l Film Festival, and was generally disappointed. I should have been wary of a film based on an unproduced Orson Welles script. William Hurt, Miranda Richardson and Nigel Hawthorne give solid performances, working with what they have. Irene Jacob is horribly miscast, however. The film is essentially a reworking of 'The Man in the Iron Mask' with references to two brothers with divided fates, and a floating night club called the "Louis Quatorze." There are hints of the late master's genious. However, the plot is ultimately muddled - perhaps in the adaptation, and the film is amateurishly directed. I wonder if this film will see the light of day before it inevitably ends up on cable tv.