Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti
Running Time: 162 minutes
Synopsis: Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) are lovers and members of the far-left revolutionary group "French 75". They conduct operations to free detained illegal immigrants, and in one of their raids Perfidia humiliates military officer Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn). He develops an intense hatred towards the group while also lusting after Perfidia, who is soon pregnant. After giving birth to Willa she is arrested and the rest of the group members flee into hiding, with Bob looking after Willa as his daughter. Sixteen years later Lockjaw has reasons to find Willa (Chase Infiniti), triggering a mad pursuit and forcing the reluctant Bob back into action.
What Works Well: This is a high energy chase thriller, powered by an edgy political and racial premise, memorable characters, spiky humour, and an original, tense and pulsing music soundtrack. Writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson pokes fun at left and right alike, anti-government revolutionaries devolving into potheads and right-wing nut-cases wallowing in contradictions. With no middle ground, the future available to Willa is grim, as she awakens to a mother who turned traitor, a father lacking any motivation, and worst of all, she's the only high school kid not allowed a cell phone. Teyana Taylor is a force of nature as Perfidia, and the film is poorer when she is sidelined, but Benicio Del Toro fills the gap as an unflappable martial arts instructor.
What Does Not Work As Well: The running time is beyond bloated, with lax editing resulting in almost every scene running well longer than needed. And all the extra time is invested in stylistic extensions rather than the human condition: the main characters barely progress in outlook, understanding, or self-awareness.
Key Quote:
Lockjaw (in a meeting with white nationalists): Gentlemen, I have engaged the enemy face to face in battle, and in the dark alleys and shadows of espionage. I was once raped in reverse.
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