The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writers (WGA):

Richard Condon (novel)
George Axelrod (1962 screenplay)

Release Date:

30 July 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

This summer everything is under control.

Plot:

In the midst of the Gulf War, soldiers are kidnapped and brainwashed for sinister purposes.

Plot Keywords:

Gulf War | Soldier | Kuwait | War Hero | Persian Gulf

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 6 nominations

Cast

Jeffrey Wright	...	Al Melvin
Pablo Schreiber	...	Eddie Ingram
Anthony Mackie	...	Robert Baker
Dorian Missick	...	Owens
Jose Pablo Cantillo	...	Villalobos
Teddy Dunn	...	Wilson
Joaquin Perez-Campbell	...	Atkins
Tim Artz	...	Jameson
Denzel Washington	...	Ben Marco
Robyn Hitchcock	...	Laurent Tokar
Liev Schreiber	...	Raymond Shaw
Antoine Taylor	...	Boy Scout #1
Joseph Alessi	...	Boy Scout #2
Raymond Anthony Thomas	...	Scout Dad (as Ray Anthony Thomas)
Bill Irwin	...	Scoutmaster

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and some language.

Runtime:

USA:129 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18PL (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #40839) | Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The marching band shown in a few parts of the movie is the East Ramapo Marching Band from New York.

Goofs:

Plot holes: Apparently, FBI undercover agents are not wired remotely. Instead they carry dictaphones, mark up the tapes clearly with the target's name, then keep them in their handbags, which they leave lying around while they sleep.

Quotes:

Delp: I thought you said you lost this.
Ben Marco: I bit a guy. I found another one.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Who can you trust ?

Here's an remake that is not needed, but turns out to be pretty good. In updating the story for modern times, Director Jonathan Demme makes up for his last attempt at a remake (The Truth About Charlie). The Gulf War Part I has been substituted for the Korean War. Also, instead of the Commies, it's an evil corporation called Manchurian Global. Having been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during war, Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber) is a now a Congressman running for Vice President. His mother, Eleanor (Streep), is an overbearing monster. Ben Marco (Washingston), who served with Shaw, runs into another person he served with; Al Melvin (Jeffrey Wright), who at first appears to be mentally unstable. He has a thick booklet of drawings and writings of what he seen in his dreams. Marco begins investigating and gathers vague evidence that he and his men were brainwashed. This film does a strong job of creating a sense of paranoia. Playing the role originated by Sinatra, Washington delivers a strong, nuanced performance. Streep plays her character so sinister, it's pretty difficult to find any qualities with her. Schreiber is also impressive; he plays Shaw as someone who knows something is wrong with him, but can do little to help himself. There's a sequence where the powers that be make changes to a security tape and this pretty much says: "Who can you trust?"

Rating: *** (out of ****)