Snowden

Oliver Stone remains just as critical, slightly caustic and interesting. I'm a little worried that this patriot won't be doing anything more than dissecting American’s biting problems, and that's a bit of a shame (the glorious and "differently" conceived Alexander). On the other hand, Snowden is an interesting subject, decently handled and easy to grasp for an ordinary viewer unfamiliar with the case – even a complete illiterate can understand what is happening in the film and what is related to what. For die-hard political scientists and would-be pundits, however, it may not be the right fit, It's not pure documentary style, they wanted it to be good to go to the cinema and the purpose is fulfilled. (20/11/2016)

Oliver Stone is a very more experienced director, I like his U-Turn and Savages a lot, but after a four-year hiatus he returns with a mediocre film. At first I was more or less very satisfied, I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt a lot, but here I stopped enjoying it after an hour. As soon as the film started to deal with politics it went to shit, at least for me; on the one hand I don't care about it and on the other, I don't care about American politics at all. Finished with a slight suffering, Snowden himself is an interesting personality though.50% (07/12/2016)

"I think I'm free because I don't have to worry about tomorrow. I'm happy with what I've done today." - When watching Snowden, anyone with a modicum of judgment has to realize what a fucked up world we live in. Oliver Stone handled the highly publicized scandals with dignity. His film is quite a clear and in many ways disturbing statement about the state of contemporary society. (85%) (16/10/2021)

Stone has surprised me again. He's not as mannerist as he was in Savages, and he's not firing as sharply and intensely as he used to, but I still can't imagine anyone else who could make a film about Snowden this honestly and effectively. The fusion of documentary and narrative elements works perfectly, the pace is absolutely unwavering thanks to a barrage of clever dialogues and balanced flashbacks, and the actors are all perfect, with Shailene Woodley in particular keeping the less convincing personal storyline admirably afloat. Sarcastic humour and the character of Nicolas Cage ideally relieve the oppressive atmosphere of "Big Brother", which Stone manages to evoke in some moments thanks to his precise work with camera filters and framing (excellent sex scene). The great impression of attractive filmmaking is terribly marred by the pathetic ending, which perhaps Stone must have entrusted to his sixth assistant director and debut screenwriter, otherwise I can't imagine the sudden spasm… (06/12/2016)

Stone seeks the long-lost relevance of a commentator, in vain. Snowden's great motto is that, unlike his recent films, he has no annoying mannerist hallmark and falls of quite nicely. Oliver even forced the greatest living Gordon-Levitt impersonator to act, which is a solid accomplishment. Unfortunately, the content of the testimony itself, compared to what the Oscar-winning documentary Citizenfour offered, is more of a clear introduction to the issue, which underscores Stone's well-known critical-patriotic stance on contemporary US democracy. Something provocative is missing, something that would burn into the retina. A tame personal level will not replace it. Snowden passes by pleasantly and finally smiles with uncontrollable pathos. It’s no mess, but also no subversion... [70%] (09/11/2016)