Snowden Review

SNOWDEN stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and is written and directed by Oliver Stone. The script is based on the books The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man by Luke Harding and Time of the Octopus by Anatoly Kucherena. Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a hero by some, and a traitor by others.

Is Edward Snowden a hero or traitor to the United States of America? It really depends on who you ask and what’s your stance is on certain things such as The Constitution, National Security and Freedom of the Press. Oliver Stone weaves a compelling story that some might view as pro liberal and completely bias to one side. When seeing this film you must have in mind this is told from the perspective of the person the film is based on. In other words watch this film with an open mind and you will be amazed at the performance, direction and the narrative of the film. Snowden has a lot of social commentary on today’s world and the use of technology. At our screening before the film plays Oliver Stone opens up with a cellphone and states how this is our controller and how it has good and bad things about it and to turn off it during the movie. Typical message you see when you’re in the theaters but Stone’s opening set the tone for what was to come. The film opens up with Snowden (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meeting two reports and taking him to his hotel room to conduct an interview. The film then goes through a series of flashbacks to explain the narrative of how Snowden got the data from the NSA and why he leaked it. The story narrative is very well down. Like many biopic or event films, the film chooses the right parts of the subjects lives to not only give you a straight forward narrative but allows you as the audience to connect with the subject. One thing watching this film that I love is Snowden’s transformation. When were introduce to him he really is pro government he supports everything they do and say. It wasn’t until he started working for the Government that he started to see things weren’t all that he seems. Snowden takes a real look at the morality of the Government and questions how far will it go in the name of National Security. There are some plenty of eye opener stuff that many won’t believe that it’s possible the Government has done. Things like monitoring the social media accounts, using the laptop cameras to spy on millions of American homes, phone taps and much more scary illegal stuff. When Snowden finds out about this and is being paid to these things he has a question of morality. Is this right? What have a girl who is just going to college done to be watched and have her privacy invaded? Are the average 9 to 5 day hardworking Americans really such a threat? The film raises these questions but doesn’t give you a definitive answer. Instead the film shows both perspectives that allows you to draw up your own conclusions. Some audience members support the Governments actions and others sided with Snowden, this allowed for great discussions and debate after the film came to its conclusion. Whether you like the films narrative or not it opens a great window for discussion.

The acting is very well done and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is at the top of his game as Snowden. He embodies everything from his mannerism, pitch of voice and he looks similar in physical appearance as well. He is showing time and time again that he can hold a movie on his own and he is a true leading man. Shailene Woodley who plays Snowden girlfriend Lindsay Mills was great in the role that she was in. Her chemistry with Joseph Gordon- Levitt can be seen organically as the love and dramatic scenes were the highlight of the film. I will say if there is a show stealer it is Rhys Ifans who plays Cobin O’Brian. Ifans played a great role as mentor but later somewhat as antagonist. He was very cunning, convincing and I enjoyed every scene that he was in. The musical score was good when there was music involved but nothing to really to scream buy the OST. It does its job of setting the tone and making you feel tense in some moments.

Overall Snowden is a movie that you must see. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a stellar job. Oliver Stone directs a great cast. The story will have you question and make you do some on research. If anything the film does what it set out to do and that is to get you to think critically of what is going on today. Oliver Stone message sent and a job well done.

After the movie which was provided by Fathom Events. There was a Q & A section with Snowden himself and Oliver Stone. and the cast for 45 minutes. Levitt talk about what it was like playing the character and the challenges of playing a real life person compare to a fictional character.  Snowden talk about the origins of the project not being aware of Oliver Stone's work. The 45 minutes were intriguing and informative and gave a lot of behind the scenes information on the project. 

Final Score 4 out 5 Stars