The Manchurian Candidate
(B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, & Meryl Streep work their magic in 'The Manchurian Candidate', a suspenseful drama directed by Jonathan Demme, based on a 1959 novel by Richard Condon, & a remake of The Manchurian Candidate (1962), a nightmarish, black-&-white drama directed by John Frankenheimer. I find it amusing that this film is released in the season of the current Presidential nominating conventions; perfect timing. I have not yet seen the original film to draw comparisons between both versions. So, my review will be based completely on the current film as is.
The film begins with a smattering of young American men fighting in the 1991's Gulf War. Capt. Bennett Marco (Denzel) is suspiciously knocked unconscious, several American soldiers die, & Sgt. Raymond Prentiss Shaw (Schreiber) saves the day. 13 yrs. later, Ray Shaw receives a Medal of Honor for his heroism in that very battle. Shaw would use the Medal of Honor to catapult a political career and hopefully become the VP and/or President.
It is soon discovered that a metal chip has been implanted in Ray & Bennett among others who were involved in the Gulf War years ago. Why? Now, it's surfacing that survivors of that battle have been having nightmares of what may or may not have happened that day. What was the correct sequence of events? Why are they having bizarre, awful visions in their head with a South African doctor in the middle of it all? Even more intriguing, Bennett wants to know why every member of that patrol recalls the events of that battle with identical answers; word for word. At one point, Bennett manages to get a few moments alone with Ray Shaw. They briefly discuss the nature of that fateful night in Kuwait. Bennett is able to make Ray confess, 'I remember that it happened, but I don't remember it happening'. Why can't they all remember? Is it just post-war hysteria? Have they blocked it?
Ray's mother, Eleanor Shaw (Streep), is the one pulling the strings to get her son in the White House. It is interesting to see how easily she can manipulate fellow politicians, work the electoral college to play in her sons' favor, & still maintain a calm, if not, brooding behavior for the public eye. A determined, power hungry woman is she. Apparently, her husband died young, denying her the opportunity to be first lady one day. How will she try to maneuver & conspire to get her son into the big leagues? Who else is involved in this push? Will Raymond Prentiss Shaw be VP? Who will suffer en route to that title? How are the nightmares of those men in the Gulf War tied to Eleanor Shaw's push for her son to be VP? Or are they tied, at all?
Another character in the film is a woman named Eugenie, or 'Rosie'. She is a mystery. She seems to show up wherever Bennett Marco happens to be. Is this good? Is this bad? The movie keeps us guessing at everything. After inviting him back to her place for an evening, we think she is simply attracted to the tortured officer. Surely, she must be up to something. She must have some part to play in the conspiracy to see Raymond Prentiss Shaw be the Vice-President. Or is she trying to help Bennett Marco find the reality in his nightmares?
Denzel, Meryl, & Liev are excellent. Denzel plays Bennett with great strength, as well as a definite restlessness and fear. He IS one of the finer actors of our age. But Meryl continues to amaze; commanding every scene she's in. Her actions & nuances make Eleanor truly frightening (can we say ... kissing scene?). She's a controlled, subdued, but blatant maniacal mother, at the same time; almost like a volcano ready to erupt; brilliant. Liev Schreiber is also amazing. He has a way of looking into the camera & making us understand him, and at the same time, fear for what he may be thinking.
As mentioned previously, I base my review on this 2004 film only. There's been much talk of the 1962 version, its actors, & changes of the storyline here and there. I am ignoring it all. This is MY type of film and am thrilled to have seen it. After viewing 'The Manchurian Candidate', it is scary to see, right in front of our faces, how easily it is for politicians to finagle, pry, & sell-out to get ahead of the pack.
The film begins with a smattering of young American men fighting in the 1991's Gulf War. Capt. Bennett Marco (Denzel) is suspiciously knocked unconscious, several American soldiers die, & Sgt. Raymond Prentiss Shaw (Schreiber) saves the day. 13 yrs. later, Ray Shaw receives a Medal of Honor for his heroism in that very battle. Shaw would use the Medal of Honor to catapult a political career and hopefully become the VP and/or President.
It is soon discovered that a metal chip has been implanted in Ray & Bennett among others who were involved in the Gulf War years ago. Why? Now, it's surfacing that survivors of that battle have been having nightmares of what may or may not have happened that day. What was the correct sequence of events? Why are they having bizarre, awful visions in their head with a South African doctor in the middle of it all? Even more intriguing, Bennett wants to know why every member of that patrol recalls the events of that battle with identical answers; word for word. At one point, Bennett manages to get a few moments alone with Ray Shaw. They briefly discuss the nature of that fateful night in Kuwait. Bennett is able to make Ray confess, 'I remember that it happened, but I don't remember it happening'. Why can't they all remember? Is it just post-war hysteria? Have they blocked it?
Ray's mother, Eleanor Shaw (Streep), is the one pulling the strings to get her son in the White House. It is interesting to see how easily she can manipulate fellow politicians, work the electoral college to play in her sons' favor, & still maintain a calm, if not, brooding behavior for the public eye. A determined, power hungry woman is she. Apparently, her husband died young, denying her the opportunity to be first lady one day. How will she try to maneuver & conspire to get her son into the big leagues? Who else is involved in this push? Will Raymond Prentiss Shaw be VP? Who will suffer en route to that title? How are the nightmares of those men in the Gulf War tied to Eleanor Shaw's push for her son to be VP? Or are they tied, at all?
Another character in the film is a woman named Eugenie, or 'Rosie'. She is a mystery. She seems to show up wherever Bennett Marco happens to be. Is this good? Is this bad? The movie keeps us guessing at everything. After inviting him back to her place for an evening, we think she is simply attracted to the tortured officer. Surely, she must be up to something. She must have some part to play in the conspiracy to see Raymond Prentiss Shaw be the Vice-President. Or is she trying to help Bennett Marco find the reality in his nightmares?
Denzel, Meryl, & Liev are excellent. Denzel plays Bennett with great strength, as well as a definite restlessness and fear. He IS one of the finer actors of our age. But Meryl continues to amaze; commanding every scene she's in. Her actions & nuances make Eleanor truly frightening (can we say ... kissing scene?). She's a controlled, subdued, but blatant maniacal mother, at the same time; almost like a volcano ready to erupt; brilliant. Liev Schreiber is also amazing. He has a way of looking into the camera & making us understand him, and at the same time, fear for what he may be thinking.
As mentioned previously, I base my review on this 2004 film only. There's been much talk of the 1962 version, its actors, & changes of the storyline here and there. I am ignoring it all. This is MY type of film and am thrilled to have seen it. After viewing 'The Manchurian Candidate', it is scary to see, right in front of our faces, how easily it is for politicians to finagle, pry, & sell-out to get ahead of the pack.