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The Current War
2018 108 min Russia, United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.0
Drama, History
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Trailers
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Description
Electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse compete to create a sustainable system and market it to the American people.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$5.98M
Worldwide:
$12.22M
Starring
Benedict Cumberbatch
Actor
Oliver Powell
Actor
Sophia Ally
Actor
Key opinion
The Current War is a visually polished historical drama that features strong individual performances but struggles to coalesce into a compelling narrative. While praised for its cinematography and production design, the film's production history and disjointed execution lead to mixed reactions regarding its emotional depth and thematic cohesion.
| Cinematography | The film utilizes striking visual techniques, including wide-angle lenses and sophisticated lighting, to effectively evoke the era of electrification. | |
| Acting | Michael Shannon provides a grounded, pragmatic performance as Westinghouse that serves as a strong counterbalance to the film's conflict. | |
| Screenplay | The script and narrative structure are frequently criticized for feeling derivative, echoing tropes seen in other biographical films about genius and ambition. | |
| Acting | Performances are divisive; some viewers appreciate the high-caliber cast, while others find Cumberbatch's portrayal of Edison to be a repetitive, miscast archetype. | |
| Editing | Opinions on the film's overall flow are split; some find the frenetic editing style reflective of the era's rapid change, while others view it as jumpy, confusing, and unnatural. |