Wow! Such a good movie.

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Here's what none of the reviewers seem to recognize. They have clearly never read the excellent books by T. Harry Williams or Alan Brinkley. The movie sets out to do what educated liberal elites always want to do: discredit Populist politicians who propose redistributive policies to help the poor.Long was flamboyant and self-interested (aren't ALL politicians?) but he made his early living as a lawyer defending black and white workers against large corporations or banks. His policies pulled Roosevelt much farther to the left than he'd otherwise have gone, since Long planned to contest the Democratic nomination for FDR's reelection. High taxes on the rich, breaking up monopolies, giving the veterans of WWI their long overdue bonuses, passing Social Security and the National Labor Relations Act--all these were championed by Long and his mostly Midwestern progressive allies in the Senate.Elites will always try to make Populists look venal and stupid, to evade the threat of their redistributive policies. Be aware that this is a work of fiction. It is not about the real Huey Long, just as the George C. Scott demonic interpretation of William Jennings Bryan in Inherit the Wind is not about the real Bryan. Both these men were great reformers who were great threats to the wealthy and powerful. That's why they are demonized by Hollywood corporations. Read some actual scholarly books (including Michael Kazin's book on Bryan) and don't be deluded by movie brainwashing. From these comments, the latter is highly effective for people who don't read.

Jack Burden (Jude Law) is a Louisiana newspaper reporter. Willie Stark (Sean Penn) is the parish treasurer for the small town of Mason City. He is tired of the rampant corruption and isn't running again. Then a schoolhouse collapse brings Stark back but this time to run as governor with the help of political operator Tiny Duffy (James Gandolfini). Burden knows that Stark is only there to split the poor crackers' votes. After political strategist Sadie Burke (Patricia Clarkson) let the cat out of the bag, Stark goes populist hick against Duffy and the upper class. Stark wins by a landslide and he is confronted by the elite. Stark hires Burden as an adviser after he quit the newspaper. Duffy now works as the lieutenant governor. Sugar Boy (Jackie Earle Haley) is his scary driver. Burden's godfather Judge Irwin (Anthony Hopkins) is very influential and joins the effort to impeach Stark. Stark assigns Jack to find some dirt on Irwin. Brother and sister Adam (Mark Ruffalo) and Anne Stanton (Kate Winslet) are Burden's childhood friends and the upper class children of a former governor. Stark's womanizing ways starts with Sadie Burke, everyone wearing a skirt, and eventually Burden's first love Anne Stanton.This movie is all style but no energy. Everybody is putting in a heavy effort. The direction is weighted down. The movie sinks under all that heaviness. The dialog is tedious and spoken as if the world depends on it. There is no life in either Steven Zaillian's directions or script. The story moves so slowly that Zaillian may have been lost in the grandness of the attempt. Sean Penn and James Gandolfini are all mannerisms and impersonations. I guess Sean Penn's overacting can be excused because of the character. It doesn't make it any more appealing. Jude Law is surprisingly lifeless. It's just all so tired.

"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

this remake of the 1949 film is not as good as that version,but its' still watchable,particularly for the performance of Sean Penn.he transcends the material.watching him here,i can't help but think he may be the greatest living actor of his generation,at the very least.Jackie Earle Haley(whom i had heard a lot of good things about but had never seen before)is also exceptional in a small role,as is Patricia Clarkson.the rest of the supporting cast are also good.really all of the actors are better than the movie they are in.this is really an actor's film.the film itself tends to drag and be long winded and veer off track,losing momentum which it never fully gains.if it weren't for Penn's bravura performance,this would likely be a skippable movie.but he(and by extension,the rest of the cast)salvages the film.for me,All the King's Men (2006) is a 6/10