While working as a journalist for a second rate newspaper in California, Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) stumbles onto a story that changes his life and the way Americans view their government. He discovers that Danilo Blandon (Yul Vazquez), one of the biggest Nicaraguan drug dealers in California, is a government informant who is allowed to operate his business with impunity. The story begins with Attorney General Russell Dodson (Barry Pepper) being aware, if not complicit, but leads Webb to discover that the Central Intelligence Agency is an active participant in the drug smuggling enterprise.
According to a Mexican drug kingpin named Norwin Meneses (Andy Garcia), the CIA was using the profits from the sale of cocaine in the United States to fund rebels fighting in Nicaragua. As Webb gets closer to the truth, including an off-the-record interview with Washington insider Fred Weil (Michael Sheen), more pressure is placed on him to drop the story. Instead, Webb digs deeper at the expense of his marriage, his career and possibly his life.
Based on the books Dark Alliance, written by Gary Webb after his career stalled as a result of his investigation, and Kill the Messenger by Nick Schou, the film starts strong before veering into formulaic action/thriller territory. Director Michael Cuesta clearly watched Oliver Stone’s entire filmography before making Kill the Messenger, borrowing liberally from the controversial filmmaker’s usual bag of tricks. Beginning with the credits, Cuesta inserts real news footage into the film to lend a greater sense of being a work of journalism. Oddly, though, he chooses to also add phony footage using the actors in the film. Taken together the viewer is unsure whether what’s being shown is real or fake. Given the film’s subject matter, this should never be a question in the audience’s mind.
Peter Landesman, who wrote the screenplay, has clearly done his due diligence and produced one-third of an excellent script. The first 30-40 minutes are gripping as the revelations become more and more unbelievable (and infuriating). Halfway through the movie, though, the plot grinds to a halt and we are all of a sudden thrust into a family drama with moments of existential angst peppered in for good measure. Landesman has no idea how to end the movie and so chooses the least interesting event of Webb’s life (receiving a Journalist of the Year award). The extremely unsatisfying non-ending negates the enjoyable experience the viewer had during the film’s opening act.
Fortunately, Renner’s fantastic performance is enough to distract from the shortcomings of the filmmakers. His participation in the Marvelverse notwithstanding, Renner isn’t the type of actor to take “safe” roles. Never a chameleon-like actor of the Johnny Depp variety, Renner has still always managed to bring an intensity to his performances that few other actors can. Here he gives one of his best performances to date. With his giant, pleading eyes Renner displays nearly every emotion imaginable over the course of two hours, demonstrating an on-screen charisma and strength reminiscent of young Marlon Brando.
Kill the Messenger fails to live up to its potential but is nearly saved by an outstanding performance by its leading man.
Grade: C-
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