Review: Diplomacy goes primal in the satiric ‘Rumours,’ set in a political wilderness
As a film enthusiast with a penchant for global politics and a touch of dark humor, I must say that “Rumours” is a movie that truly resonates with my current state of mind. It’s like watching a surrealist blend of Wes Anderson and Luis Buñuel, set in a macabre backdrop that seems eerily familiar given the state of our world leaders today.
If you’re eager to learn about what truly transpires when world leaders gather to address global issues, consider picking up a book on the subject. However, if your perception of international politics is more like a blend of a cabin-in-the-woods horror and a high school drama, then “Rumours,” a film co-directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson that’s both deliciously absurd and reminiscent of Buñuel’s work, might appear to be an accurate portrayal to your apprehensive mind.
The Canadian filmmaking trio are recognized for their whimsical cinematic creations, such as “The Forbidden Room” and “The Green Fog”. Their latest work, “Rumours”, leans more towards expanding a comedic concept into a full-length, celebrity-filled feature. Given the current situation, it seems tailor-made: an extravagantly surreal, somewhat ironic take on the futility of political meetings as fear of impending doom escalates. Somewhere, the renowned Spanish director from “The Exterminating Angel” might be subtly approving a satire involving G7 leaders in a peat bog filled with decaying zombies.
Following a Wes Anderson-style introduction where the seven ostentatiously shallow political leaders are presented in an orderly manner, the challenging tasks of diplomatic collaboration and managing personal quirks commence. The serene lakefront dinner gathering is orchestrated by Cate Blanchett’s calculated and manipulative German chancellor Hilda, who shares a table with her volatile counterpart, Canadian PM Maxime (Roy Dupuis, providing plenty of humor). It is revealed that Maxime previously had an unconventional relationship with the British minister Cardosa (Nikki Amuka-Bird), but to her dismay, he has since moved on.
Completing this distinguished group are an elderly American president, portrayed by Charles Dance, who oddly enough speaks with a British accent; France’s self-important and disabled leader (Denis Menochet), who is later pushed around in a wheelbarrow; and the flexible leaders from Japan (Takehiro Hida of “Shogun”) and Italy (Rolando Rovello), whose roles mirror the limited attention these countries typically receive on daily news broadcasts.
Everyone seems to have an unspoken concern about an unknown crisis. However, their overconfidence, indecisive behavior, and growing anxiety that disaster is looming personally, make it difficult to speak or write sensibly. Screenwriter Evan Johnson’s script, filled with lowbrow humor and clever ideas, doesn’t result in much action beyond the delivery of absurd dialogues and encounters with peculiar, self-gratifying bog people. A disheveled former colleague (played by Alicia Vikander) appears, speaking a message of impending doom that our characters struggle to understand as it is in a foreign language they barely recognize.
Despite the constant arguments, delays, and stubborn disregard for the impending disaster looming over them, that’s exactly what the story is about. The actors deliver their lines with a dry wit, making even the low-key silliness amusing enough to counterbalance moments when you wonder if a more concise, focused script might have been more impactful. Compared to “Don’t Look Up,” it offers a more enjoyable exploration of human flaws.
The film “Rumours” is enriched by Maddin’s distinctive, genre-oriented style, particularly in Stefan Ciupek’s dynamic cinematography which blends mid-century melodrama with a spooky monster matinee atmosphere. It serves as a nostalgic nod to the 1950s, a time when the nuclear age produced both universal dread and cheerful, eccentric cinema for audiences. Here’s hoping that “Rumours” marks the beginning of a new era of rowdy, shared laughter-through-fear entertainment.
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2024-10-19 00:31