What a relief... to read Bruce Cook's
Trumbo,
a book of clarity, probing intelligence, and considerable grace. Trumbo was a true original. His life has the chronicler it merits. * Nat Hentoff *
A gossipy, anecdotal narrative that is
fascinating reading * Publishers Weekly *
He wrote a brilliant novel and a number of very good movies, and he demolished the Hollywood blacklist almost single-handed, but his greatest achievement was just being the incomparable Trumbo.
Bruce Cook has captured the wit, intelligence, and unpredictability that made him one of the truly original people of our time * Ring Lardner Jr, two-time Academy Award-winning screenwriter (WOMAN OF THE YEAR and MASH) *
As a study of life under the blacklist the book is
superb... Essential reading for anyone interested in either the cinema or recent American history * Library Journal *
PRAISE FOR THE FILM TRUMBO
'a cracking good story, and Cranston does a great job portraying a man who made great sacrifices for his principles'
* New York Post *
the
hugely entertaining,
revealing and
powerful portrait of this great screenwriter...
an almost bigger-than-life colorful movie about the movies. A screen
triumph for all involved, it is especially
Bryan Cranston's magnificent work in the title role that towers over everything. * Deadline *
Bryan Cranston finally translates his critical acclaim for Breaking Bad into an Oscar-caliber performance in darkly comic Trumbo, playing an eloquent, witty screenwriter who bucked the Hollywood blacklist and triumphed... a
highly entertaining biopic... Director Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) may seem an unlikely fit for the material, but as Martin Ritt's blacklist comedy The Front (starring Woody Allen) showed and Trumbo reminds us, sometimes comedy can be the best weapon against demagogues
* New York Post *
Among movies about old moviemakers,
Trumbo works better, and has more to say about the world at large, than
My Week With Marilyn or
Hitchcock... Come for the smooth supporting turns by Louis C.K. and Alan Tudyk, the impersonations of icons like John Wayne and Douglas (played with chin-y gusto by Dean O'Gorman) and for Cranston, who fills the air with craggy, growly authority.
Stay for the listless yet vital lesson in democracy. * Time *
What makes the movie work are the lively performances, both from the supporting cast and from Cranston * Hollywood Reporter *
a powerhouse Bryan Cranston...
Cranston plays the hell out of Dalton Trumbo... Kudos to director Jay Roach for not wallowing in misery. His movie is
bracing and buoyant when Trumbo takes on gossip gorgon Hedda Hopper (
a wicked Helen Mirren) and writes cheapies for the King brothers (Stephen Root and
a hilarious John Goodman). When Kirk Douglas hired Trumbo to write
Spartacus in 1960, the Commie witch hunt was exposed as the sham it was. Witch hunts haven't gone, they've gone global (ask the folks at
Charlie Hebdo).
Cranston shows us there's nothing retro about watching Trumbo in his glory, speaking truth to power. * Rolling Stone *
a timely tale of political paranoia and personal pain... Mirren, in Hopper's extravagant wardrobe, proves once and for all that she is the best at a truly underappreciated, classic Hollywood skill: wearing a hat. * Los Angeles Times *
Bryan Cranston owns Trumbo, both character and film, from first word to last. The picture is an incredibly fun leap into a time-machine back into old-fashioned Hollywood, whose good and bad characteristics are twisted to be both endearing and entertaining. But more than this,
its fiery central character is a big symbol of something that's missing in present-day Hollywood. Where are the Dalton Trumbos of today? * IndieWire *
an important reminder of how democracy can fail ... and the strength of character it takes to fight the system * Variety *
Come for Bryan Cranston, stay for Dalton Trumbo * Chicago Reader *
A good-spirited,
provocative and satisfying look at the great Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo...
Bryan Cranston is terrific as the left-wing activist with the right ideas at the wrong time. * Film Journal *
Bryan Cranston gives a performance as compelling and complex as the man himself must have been. Cranston's Trumbo is eminently interesting, from his rounded posture and curious eyes to his distinct cadence and diction. Appearing in nearly every frame of the film,
Cranston infuses John McNamara's clever screenplay with even more life. * Las Vegas Sun *
Bryan Cranston shines as the titular character of Trumbo. Transforming into the role with the old school panache of a seasoned character actor. Armed with his usual quick witted style and knack for bringing those he has played to life, Cranston doesn't pull any punches.
Few thespians, save for example Jonnny Depp as Hunter S. Thomson, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote or Daniel Day Lewis in any role he undertakes, are we graced with talent which truly transforms into the person they have set out to personify. This is one of those films. * Digital Journal *
