Hallelujah. Review on All the King's Men Movie

We went to see All The Kings Men on Friday night.

What You Should Know Before You See The Movie:

All The Kings Men was first a novel written by Robert Penn Warren. This is a remake of the film that Broderick Crawford starred in.

In Louisiana a pompous Governor, Huey Long, convince the poorer people to elect him.

The Movie:

It was made by Sony Pictures and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

It was Directed by Robert Rossen and he also wrote the script.

James Horner wrote the score. The movie was film in and around New Orleans.

It is rated R and it takes about an hour and 20 minutes to see it.

The Stars:

Sean Penn plays Willie Stark

Jude Law plays Jack Burden, (a newspaper reporter, who joins Stark Staff.

Kate Winslet plays Anne Stanton, (an old girlfriend).

Anthony Hopkins plays Judge Irwin.

Patricia Clarkson plays Sadie Burke, (who works for Stark to make the news become good for him, (a spin doctor).

The Plot:

The movie is narrated by Jack Burden.

All The King's Men is the story of the rise of politician Willie Stark from a rural county seat to the spotlight.

He starts out as an idealist in the 1950's in the State of Louisiana.

Anne Stanton, the rich debutante drawn by Willie's magnetism and turned off by Jack's determination to have things done his way.

At first he does a lot of good works for his State. After a while as Governor he learns it is beneficial to take money, (graft), for his own use.

He is impeached and has to court to defend himself.

Some Moments To Remember:

Stark learns go talk like a Cajun, (Canadians who were forced to leave and went to live in Louisiana), while he gets a crowd to chant, Nail 'em up!'' (referring to those who would get in his way). My Cajun, "Ya all gotta just love the way he spoke"!!!!

The Score:

Main Title, Time Brings All Things To Light, Give Me The Hammer & I'll Nail Them Up, Bring Down the Lion And The Rest Of The Jungle Will Quake In Fear, The Rise To Power, Love's Betrayal, Only Faded Pictures, As We Were Children Once, Verdict & Punishment, All Our Lives Collide and Time Brings All Things To Light.

What I Thought:

The film shows how a charismatic person can will the convince of the people and be elected as Governor.

You can feel the humidity in the air and the fury of Stark's hunger for fairness and democracy. Does he really want these things?

Sean Penn never has to go far to tap into rage. As a fledgling politician manipulated by political cronies (including James Gandolfini as a backroom power broker). He tries to show a bit of humility, while his hair springing up from his head like smoke.

Jude Law is almost as good as Sean Penn. Antony Hopkins, Kate Winslet and Patricia Clarkson were perfect for the roles they played.

I had never heard the music before but it went well with the scenes.

My Final Thoughts:

If this movie comes to you city don't miss it.

Thanks for reading my review.

©LL2006