Actor turned director Stuart Townsend (and boyfriend to costar Charlize Theron), re-creates the dramatic tale of a series of protests that brought down the 1999 World Trade Organization summit in Seattle.
What appears to contain elements of a TV movie actually comes off as startling passion and dexterity. Townsend manages to stage the tumultuous event with intertwining plot structures that follows different characters as they try to cope with what is happening around them.
The film follows Ella (Theron), an expectant mother married to police officer Dale (Harrelson), Seattle mayor Jim Tobin (Liotta), and protest leader Jay (Henderson) over the five days where the city was eventually declared in a state of emergency.
Relationships become linked as Dale is forced to rethink his role as a police officer when Ella is caught up in the protest while trying to get home after work. Mayor Tobin must quell fears from government officials, as well as ease the anger rising from the protestors outside. Protest leader Jay has to deal with the rising violence that was unintended from a non-violent protest, all the while struggling with trying to avenge his brother’s death.
The hand held camera work of cinematographer Barry Ackroyd highlights the shaky immediacy of the situation, showing how one meeting of business men and officials changed the lives of a handful of people.
The film is one boiling point to crisis, a city under siege as people who have the right to protest begin defecating on what they stood for. Police violence adds to the recipe, but emotional and mental conflicts arise as the officers decide for what is right and wrong. These are people with the right to have their voices heard.
Although awkward at points, Battle in Seattle feels as if it needs to provide back-stories on all the characters. But a strong performance by Woody Harrelson as conflicted cop Dale proves that there are many gems in a movie rife with opinion and commentary.
Comments
[...] Originally Posted by TrinityJ okay so what exactly is charlize theron’s role in this movie? i agree, Andre 300 should never play the role of a black block. woody’s role seems to suit him though. I heard we see Dexter’s sisters boobs…can anyone clarify this for me? Arob have you seen this flick? let us in on it. tits or no tits? agreed, andre is a "meh" when it comes to film roles. charlize plays the wife of the cop played by woody. and shit becomes conflicted when she suffers a blow……….dexter’s sister is so annoying. even on dexter. nice review here. [...]
[...] release of "Battle in Seattle", a new film by Stuart Townsend. trailer for the film. review of the film found on the web. PM for information on what to do, remember there are only 10 tickets to be given away. [...]
jsut finished seeing it at yonge-dundas. The theater sucks but the movie was great. it really makes me want to bust down a door or something. Good history lesson also and still a very relevant topic. The cast was bang-on.
I saw this movie the other day and was impressed at how the cinematography and big name actors didn’t interfere with the telling of the story. usually in these types of movies the hollywood stars overshadow the plot and essence of the story. This was different. Highly recommended.
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