Our Brand is Crisis tells the story of an American politician PR consultant, Jane (Sandra Bullock; Gravity, among many others), and is set in the middle of a Bolivia divided by a democratic presidential election. Her job is to install a new leader, Castillo, who has actually already been President, but become quite infamous because he nationalized the Bolivian industries. We quickly discover that the main reason Jane agreed to go is because an old enemy of hers, Candy (Billy Bob Thornton, played the President in Love Actually...) is helping the opposition, and poll favorite, Rivera. The movie oversees the presidential campaign, and what it takes to convert people and change their opinion, as well as how dirty people are willing to be in order to win.
The movie is a more or less subtle critique of the consequences of American “help” on emerging countries -- helping to make a big mess in exchange for big bucks, and taking-off at the end of the contract -- and more largely on politics as a whole. It clearly states that politicians are nothing without their consultants, and that elections are merely a game where the winner is simply the best actor/liar. Faith in humanity, anyone?
Through Jane’s ups and downs, Our Brand is Crisis introduces the questions of how far (literally, in that case) you can go for money, and how liking your job is directly linked to your own happiness and inner peace. It shows the importance of having a positive impact, and doing something you find meaningful with your life and career -- I’d admit that this particularly spoke to me as I find myself at that time of my life… Decisions, decisions. Ultimately, the story behind the story of Our Brand is Crisis is the path Jane takes towards that ultimate goal; and that it’s never too late to make a radical change.
Even though this feels like the movie is very intellectual, it is actually pretty easy to watch. It offers impressive monologues from Bullock, good acting, some pretty fun lines, and is overall quite emotional. I really enjoyed it!
Grade: A-
Through Jane’s ups and downs, Our Brand is Crisis introduces the questions of how far (literally, in that case) you can go for money, and how liking your job is directly linked to your own happiness and inner peace. It shows the importance of having a positive impact, and doing something you find meaningful with your life and career -- I’d admit that this particularly spoke to me as I find myself at that time of my life… Decisions, decisions. Ultimately, the story behind the story of Our Brand is Crisis is the path Jane takes towards that ultimate goal; and that it’s never too late to make a radical change.
Even though this feels like the movie is very intellectual, it is actually pretty easy to watch. It offers impressive monologues from Bullock, good acting, some pretty fun lines, and is overall quite emotional. I really enjoyed it!
Grade: A-
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