Shadows on the Wall

Winner (Based on Reality)

dir Susanna Fogel
scr Kerry Howley, Susanna Fogel
prd Amanda Phillips, Susanna Fogel, Shivani Rawat, Julie Goldstein, Scott Budnick, Ameet Shukla
with Emilia Jones, Connie Britton, Zach Galifianakis, Kathryn Newton, Danny Ramirez, Shannon Berry, Kristian Jordan, Annelise Pollmann, Averie Peters, Sam Duke, Dan De Jaeger, Reese Alexander
release US 13.Sep.24
24/Canada 1h43

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Snappy and astute, this biopic about whistleblower Reality Winner takes a comical approach to a serious true story, which bracingly highlights the bigger underlying themes. Filmmaker Susanna Fogel carefully unearths this young woman's beliefs and motivations, which makes this a strikingly complex morality tale. It also reminds us that the world needs conscientious people who pay attention to the truth behind the blinding array of officially sanctioned lies.

After the 9/11 attacks, 9-year-old Reality (Pollmann) longs to understand why anyone would do such a thing, so she begins learning languages. Her parents (Britton and Galifianakis) have always encouraged her to think for herself. Later, this leads her (now Jones) to join the Air Force to work on humanitarian projects. But she's instead assigned to eavesdropping duties. Then when she begins working at the NSA, she discovers proof that the Trump administration is covering up the fact that Russia interfered with the US 2016 election. And she finds it impossible to keep this secret.

Renowned as either a traitor or hero, Reality says that she never wanted to be either: she simply wanted to tell people that their government was lying to them. Raised to think clearly, seek the truth and understand nuance, she is acutely aware of injustice and painfully relives each death caused by her intel. Outside of work, she bonds with charming barman Andre (Ramirez) over rescuing an abused dog. And the things Reality sacrifices to make a difference are properly inspiring.

In another impressively charismatic performance, Jones sharply captures Reality's lively intelligence and innate compassion, a young woman who knows that she's not like most girls, especially her sister Brittany, superbly played by Newton as simple but never stupid. Britton and Galifianakis are also excellent, and all four actors create a terrific portrait of a loving, messy, vibrantly connected family. The way they fight for each other is engaging and moving.

References to Edward Snowdon and Julian Assange sit alongside comments that citizens have a right to know that their government is lying to them. The film also takes aim at the harsh social reaction to a powerless young woman in the hot seat, and how lawyers and the media weaponise random things by wrenching them out of context while ignoring the more important larger truths. So when she's arrested, the way she's treated is astonishing. "How is that legal?" she asks. "Exactly."

themes, language 13.Sep.24

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