If you fancy a night in watching a DVD, then take a look at the selection available at Island Libraries. At just £1 per night, they’re a great bargain. Ed
In 1997, Melbourne Australia, I was intrigued to review a film called ‘Gross Point Blank’, starring John Cusack and Minnie Driver, Joan Cusack and Dan Ackroyd.
A fusion of dark sarcasm, excellent soundtrack and strong character acting, this film revealed a side of enthusiastic, intelligent, madness that John Cusack portrayed extremely well.
Although not a direct sequel to ‘Gross Point Blank’, there are attempts to ‘War, Inc.’ that include the same themes and once again, it explores John Cusack’s reluctant character as a professional hit-man who just happens to have an uncanny talent for his work.
However, ‘War, Inc.’ manages to hit on some provocative points and although satirical and for the majority of the time – completely bizarre, it does achieve a level of American humour that is not often seen in Europe.
Still, patchy in parts, when instead of directly targeting the corporation takeover of a country, that films such as ‘Brazil’ and ‘Fight Club’ did so well, ‘War, Inc.’ sadly opts for a less provocative approach, in the final outcome.
What the director Joshua Seftel does achieve is all well and amusing enough and yet it is an admirable piece of work for the appearance of Joan Cusack, John’s sister.
Irony and satire are the keys to appreciating ‘War, Inc.’ but at times, the effect is not always so clear-cut and could be easily misinterpreted.
John Cusack reveals that his writing and acting is versatile and should anyone be interested; ‘Max’ with Noah Taylor is definitely worth some attention.
‘War, Inc.’ ? Well, not too shabby.
