All the King's Men

A remake of a 1949 movie of the same name, this movie version, stayed close to the original.

Based on a bestseller, All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren, focuses on the lives of Willie Stark, an upstart farm boy who rises through sheer force of will to become Governor of Louisiana during the 1930s, and Jack Burden a journalist who helped Willie blackmail and control his enemies. The storyline mimics the politician Huey Long, who served Louisiana as both Governor and Senator from 1928 until his death in 1935.

The main theme of the movie is the question of political power and moral corruption. To Willie Stack, his moral philosophy is that everyone and everything is bad, and that moral action involves making goodness out of the badness.

Willie Stark uses and abuses everyone in his life while continuing to provide for his downtrodden constituents. In his ambitious quest to win the love and respect of his people, Willie loses his soul and the respect of those closest to him. And like Huey Long, he ultimately meets his demise in a most tragic fashion.

The movie is well narrated and edited and the dialogue is pretty catchy. Sean Penn’s Willie Stack, contrary to unwarranted criticism, is convincing.

Once again, Sean Penn took on his role with manic energy, transforming himself completely into a fascinating character. He is dynamic as the politico with his ranting and raving. His Machiavellian manipulator side was played with furious energy and sheer gusto.

Jude Law played a blue-blood “pretty boy” journalist. A burnt idealist, he was quietly supportive in his role as the second lead. As a confidante of Stack, Jude Law’s Jack Burden witnessed the effects of power and compromise on "All the King's Men".

However,there is some disconnect in the movie for it never did tell what wrong Willie had committed to cause impeachment proceedings to be leveled at him as Governor. Also, the relationship between Anne Stanton (the character played by Kate Winslet) and Jack was not well developed to provide useful insight into the passion of their love.

Overall, it's a good looking production steeped in place and period. The movie paces itself very well. I enjoyed it especially the witty dialogue.

For those who enjoyed Casablanca and other movies of that genre,they should enjoy this movie.

Quote of the Day:

“There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” George Sand

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