All the King's Men (2006)

You won't be disappointed!

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I've never seen the original 1949 film, so the 2006 remake of All the King's Men is my only reference for the story. And while I watched the film in its entirety, if pressed, I wouldn't be able to give you a very detailed plot synopsis. To be blunt, it's pretty boring, and none of the characters motivate you to pay close attention.Sean Penn is an over-the-top Southern politician with dreams of grandeur. I've never found him to be very trustworthy in his roles anyway, so it's not a stretch to believe he manipulates and panders to his audiences and those in his close circle, while hiding his ulterior motives. In tow are journalist Jude Law, girlfriend Patricia Clarkson, and political crony James Gandolfini. James seemed to be on a constant verge of cracking up, Patricia seemed miscast, and Kate Winslet, who got on the promotional poster, has an infinitely smaller part than her counterparts. I don't know why she was cast either, since her role consisted of very little acting, except maybe she, her publicist, or the studio were drawn to cast her for one scene of partial nudity. The big scene in the film—Sean Penn is making a political speech and no one is listening to him, so he lays on the heavy religious rhetoric and shouts and gains everyone's attention and support—felt extremely forced and uncompelling. How can the audience get excited about Sean's big scene when it feels like it was the fortieth take and everyone was tired and knew what to expect? While James Horner's theme was supposed to sound ominous, all I heard were the similarities to Hans Zimmer's music in Green Card, which had an entirely different meaning. All the King's Men isn't a movie I wish I'd never seen, but it was very forgettable and hardly the money that went into it. A Face in the Crowd, a different story but with similar themes, is an infinitely superior film.DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. In the first and last scenes, the camera spins in a continuous circle, and it might make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

"I didn't expect that," Kristl said. She blinked at the lights of their garage-turned-movie-theater that had just turned on. It was always too sudden, even if you prepared for it. The projector had switched off, leaving for them in front of black screen. "What?" Henry said."I thought it would be a kind of gangster movie, but it wasn't. Also the title made me think it would be an English based movie. Considering two of the main characters are played by non-Americans: Sean Penn and Jude Law," Kristl said."It felt a bit like a gangster movie at times, that is true. It felt almost like it. With that guy that acted as a body guard to Sean Penn. He had the look of a gangster. Just like that fat guy that was one of his sidekicks," Henry nodded."But it wasn't. Well, at least not a gangster movie as such, but a movie about dirty practices in that world of dirty practices: politics""Yus.. same old song," Henry said, "Coffee?""Yes...Well, not too same. It's actually a bit different in a way, in that there is no really bad guy. Unlike those movies with 'evil' people, who are clearly evil, this is a movie that actually keep things normal and plausible in a way. There seems to be even a genuine attempt by Sean Penn's character, Willie Stark to do good for the people, but I never quite could figure out how much was just getting the people to vote for him or how much he truly meant to do.""It is probably part of the charm...I prefer movies that make it clear who to root for. I never quite get to like either of them: Sean Penn or Jude law, eh make that Willie Stark and Jack Burden.""Hmm, I can understand that. I never can see Jude Law as a likable guy. I think he is better off playing a creepy dark guy, like in Road to Perdition or The wisdom of crocodiles," Kristl said, "On the other hand, he is okay. Not to bad in this role. So what do you think?""I am not sure.. it's entertaining enough.. but not really gets you on the edge," Henry said slowly."Are you getting old?""I hope not. I would get all cranky. Like you.""Right. Anyway, let's get back on topic: the movie.""I do not know what more to say. It's an okay movie. The acting is good, but somehow it never quite gets to the level that I feel drawn in. Don't know why. It is like it's a bit by the numbers movie. I am already forgetting what is was about. It didn't leave much of an impression." "Maybe you aren't getting old, but cynical. Oh my. Henry, what is with you.""Maybe these serious movies makes me a bit depressed." "There is something. Isn't that what people maybe dislike about some movies?""Yeah. Movies that don't end well or are basically telling you that life sucks." "I see. I never see it like that. I mean I see it as something part of the human condition, some things end well, others end bad." "Well, we all know that, but is that what you want to be told all the time. I rather have a movie with a good ending, even if it means the main guy or girl dies. Giving his or her life for the good cause.""Oh. I see.""You start to understand these studio people. They want a good ending. Cause we want one. And we don't want to pay for bad endings.""I see. It seems different in European countries. Seems to be less concern about making a profit, more about art. No judgment. It seems that both ways produce good and bad movies alike.""Yeah.""This movie is okay.. don't you think.""But not very uplifting."Kristl nodded.www.meritcoba.com

Director Steven Zallian appears NOT to have got the best out of his stars, Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo and James Gandolfini. They all give us below par performances. Sean Penn (an excellent actor) is terrible in this. He is in the lead role and is so bad...he is almost funny. When a movies lead actor is not functioning, the movie is in dire straights...before the cue ball has been touched. Its very possible that the other principle actors were so surprised by Penns inadequacies, that they just switched off. After the first scene, Zalliain should have had a long chat with Penn, and told him to play the character he was supposed to be playing (maybe he did !!). Whatever..this is a very poor motion picture. In the D.V.D. extras one of the actors said he felt he had such a great time...and the parties were amazing (or words like that). Under another director this could have been a pretty good movie. As it is, this is messy and not worth watching.

This film features some of my favorite actors, but the entire thing doesn't work. I suggest reading Todd McCarthy's review in Variety. It sums up all of the film's numerous weaknesses and accurately describes the questionable Southern accents of the leads. I love Sean Penn, but somehow, even the mighty Penn cannot make this film work.Like Variety said, something about it wasn't real. There are several distinct scenes where you can sense you are on the set and the director has yelled "Action!"... and the actor goes through with his scene because he knows his lines and his marks... but that's it. It's really a tragedy; it should have been a great movie.The other thing is... you'll get lost with the plethora of characters and you will spend 2/3 of the movie trying to figure out what the relationships are... and then you'll forget half of them, which is too bad, because some of them will come back and you'll have to recognize them all over again. Overall, a big mistake.