Snowden

"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)

“Most Americans do not want freedom, they want security.” Snowden is a surprisingly lively and entertaining Oliver Stone flick with a good screenplay. Gordon-Levitt is believable and likeable as a noble, super-talented IT specialist, and the rest of the cast is pleasant enough (Woodley as his girlfriend, Ifans as the head of CIA and Quinto and Wilkinson as journalists). The rendering of a controversial topic that offers both suspense and humor (Nicolas Cage’s character) is well balanced. The pathetic tickling in the end is bearable, as the movie knows what it wants to say and puts its heart into it, which is the most important thing. [Cannes] (19/05/2016)

The director Oliver Stone really shines through the movie. You don’t really buy all the dialogues, but the picking on America is apparent in almost every scene. The wide range of actors backing him is really interesting, so a number of interesting faces appears throughout the movie. Anyway, the most important thing here is Snowden and Joseph Gordon-Lewitt portrayed him fantastically. However, when it comes to the screenplay, it is really boring. The film wants to say something more, but in the end leaves us with what we already know from the media. And whether you agree with Snowden or not really doesn’t matter. The essential is what happened on the Internet since the affair and it only confirmed the myths and theories that have been and still are revolving around the Internet. (14/01/2018)

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)

A highly sensitive topic where I can't imagine anyone other than Oliver Stone taking on such material. He has a knack for portraying films set against a journalistic or political backdrop with a keen eye for detail, making the audience reflect on what's happening on the screen. The film itself tries to come across as very thoughtful and intelligent, so expect a lot of terms that might leave you puzzled about their meaning. On the other hand, the film also focuses a lot on Snowden's character, his inner struggle, and his thoughts about what is right and what isn't. I didn't understand all the tech jargon, but Oliver Stone presented the film in a way that it didn't really bother me in the end. A few times during the viewing, I felt the urge to destroy all my electronic devices—the glimpse under the metaphorical lid can open the eyes of many viewers, including mine. That's why I have to appreciate the real Snowden—such courage is rarely seen. Joseph Gordon-Levitt wasn't intimidated by this role and delivered one of the best performances of his career so far; I also appreciate Rhys Ifans as the CIA higher-up. It's an interesting film that brings to life the story of a man who wasn't afraid to open a dangerous Pandora's box. For me, it gets 80%. (21/09/2019)