Seventy-five years ago, central casting would have put Bette Davis in the lead role of this film, thirty years ago it would have been Debra Winger and twenty years ago, it would have been Demi Moore. Get the picture? A hard boiled, “my career first,” take no prisoners, intelligent female needed. Jessica Chastain fills the bill quite nicely. I should point out early in this review that I am a biased reviewer, not biased toward Chastain, nor anything to do with the plot, (lobbying for stricter gun laws), but biased toward movies that lead you or make you think you have everything figured out, only to find the hero, or heroine, in this case is not only three steps ahead of you, but also two steps against her protagonist in the plot. Miss Sloane is a movie about a powerful Washington DC lobbyist, who really isn’t that interested in “sides;” instead she is interested in winning. At the beginning of the film she works for a very influential lobbying group and decides to change jobs, and sides on an issue, not for additional income, but more so for the challenge that it will give her. She maneuvers through the plot and the film like Queen on a chessboard, never being trapped, never allowing anyone to know her thoughts or her strategy. Many try. Even a male hustler, played her by Jake Lucy, who remains loyal to her; perhaps the only time she is taken by surprise in the entire film. Sloane has faults. She “outs” a young co-worker’s, (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) earlier traumatic involvement in a school shooting, after that character, Esme gives Sloane her trust. Watching the film I was constantly asking myself, “Do people like this really exist?” Exist without sleep, exist without human feelings, exist on amphetamines for false energy, exist without friends, exist only to win, whatever the cost. I guess the answer must sadly be: yes. Many of my friends, mostly conservative, have sworn off seeing this film. They say because the core issue is about gun control. I am not so sure it isn’t because the film is about a strong woman. Regardless, gun control has very little to do with this move. The lobbying effort could have been about the EPA, abortion, tobacco, immigration, etc. It doesn’t matter. The movie is about strong characters, cunning and intelligence. Don’t pre-judge this movie and deny yourself a good flick. The movie could only have been better if the Director would have delved into Sloane’s background and why she developed the way she did; family history, lost loves, crushed hopes, etc. Sloane references it briefly saying that she might have enjoyed a traditional life, but had no choice. I give this movie a 9 out of 10. What do you think?
finch on film 