Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home Culture

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE – Power trip not worth temptation

byStaff writers
7 November 2004
Reading Time: 2 mins read
AA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Starring: Denzel Washington, Meryl Steep and Liev Schreiber
Director: Jonathan Demme
Rated: MA15+

TO my surprise, I have found critical enthusiasm among many critics for The Manchurian Candidate.

So I am at a loss, and apparently alone, because I found this film to be a rather ordinary thriller.

Unlike the original, which was a subtle, nuanced critique of that great American virtue of fear-mongering, Jonathan Demme’s contemporary tale of grotesque political manipulation is leaden with facile demons and easy platitudes (and let’s face it, if you remake a classic, you deserve the comparisons you elicit).

If you don’t know the story of the original film (or Richard Condon’s novel), The Manchurian Candidate describes the paranoid journey of a troop of soldiers who have been brainwashed in 1962 by the Communists, and in 2004 by a mostly American, but assuredly multinational, conglomerate.

In both films, the bad guys have their sights set on the American presidency and will manipulate the soldiers to achieve their ends.

Perhaps I didn’t like the film because it feels dated?

Why, after all, would a corporation go to all the trouble of developing complex neural implants, staging a make-believe battle scene during the Iraq War (the first one) and then attempt to assassinate a candidate for the American presidency when it’s so much easier to just buy the office outright?

Remaking a film of classic stature is always a dubious choice.

But I will allow that the contemporary world of American politics, wherein you are either with us or a terrorist, was probably irresistible when considering the remake of a film which superbly critiqued an era when you were either with us or a Communist.

Related Stories

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

But, for me, a strident and obvious social commentary is worse than no commentary at all.

I suspect it is on this point where I diverged with the mainstream critics who must have championed this film because they feel that any critique on the corporate control of the American political system is worthwhile.

This film is ultimately an empty attack on the corrupting force of corporate money on the political process.

If you haven’t seen the first one and aren’t interested in the contemporary American political scene, you might find a little adrenaline in this generic, plodding and ultimately sanctimonious thriller.

ShareTweet
Previous Post

CLIFFORD’S REALLY BIG MOVIE

Next Post

Bike ride to aid cancer kids

Staff writers

Related Posts

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition
QLD

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning
QLD

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Next Post

Bike ride to aid cancer kids

Homeless problem a 'scandal'

Abortion laws stay

Popular News

  • Pregnant woman

    Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

by Joe Higgins
20 May 2022
0

BRISBANE grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and premature babies...

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022
Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping