Miss Sloane
Jessica Chastain shines as a ruthless political lobbyist, but this slick drama is let down by a script that becomes increasingly preposterous
As she proved in Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain is in her element when she’s playing a tough, single-minded character, and Miss Sloane is a perfect vehicle for her. She’s a ruthless Washington lobbyist who’ll go to any lengths to secure victory for her side, and she is driven solely by what’s best for Elizabeth Sloane rather than any deep political convictions. John Madden’s film pits her against the might of the US gun lobby, and when you see her in action, you wouldn’t bet against her bringing the whole house down.
Miss Sloane was written by first-timer Jonathan Perera and one wonders if a more experienced hand might have steered him away from the increasingly preposterous twists (robo-cockroaches!) and thin characterisations that mar the film’s second half. A lot of talented actors, including Michael Stuhlbarg and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, are stuck playing little more than pawns in Miss Sloane’s complicated endgame. It’s a slick, shallow movie, but it’s easy to have fun with the sub-Sorkin dialogue and Madden’s efficient direction, not to mention a great actress radiating star power.
Extras
A standard ten-minute compilation of soundbites and behind-the-scenes footage.
Released by Entertainment One