THE LAST THING HE WANTED
US, 2020, 115 minutes, Colour.
Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Willem Dafoe, Rosie Peres, Edi Gathegi, Mel Rodriguez, Toby Jones.
Directed by Dee Rees.
This drama has very high credentials. The cast is strong, has a number of character actors, is based on a book by celebrated author, Joan Didion, and is directed by Dee Rees who had great success with the challenging drama, Mudbound.
However, it was the subject of critical attack. And, many audiences will identify with the criticism.
There are sequences in Central America around 1980, violence and uprisings, reporters having to get out of the country. There are also sequences in 1984 with reporting on the election and the re-election of Ronald Reagan and its consequences for American policy towards Central America. There is a critique of government officials and their advisors. The latter part of the film concerns gunrunning schemes to Central America, government involvement, criminal involvement.
The criticism of the film is that it is very confused in its presentation of its themes. Which is confusing for audiences.
Anne Hathaway has the role of a tough journalist, alienated from her father, Willem Dafoe, but making connection with him especially in the gunrunning. Ben Affleck is a political adviser, the blend of the charming and the sinister and the seductive. Rosie Peres is a journalist. Toby Jones is the proprietor of a Central American resort.
Perhaps there is too much plot.
1. The title? The book by Joan Gideon and its scope? Who is the Heel of the title? Elaine’s father? Morrison?
2. The critics severity on the film? The plot, performance, confusion of plot and issues?
3. Lena’s story, and Hathaway’s performance, her relationship with her parents, the father leaving, contact with her mother? The differing relationships? Her marriage, divorce, bringing up her daughter? The continued contact with her at school? Who work as a journalist, journalism and adventure, her experiences in Latin America, her friendship with Alma? Working together? El Salvador? The return to Washington, the Reagan election? Contact with politicians, direct questions? The arms story and the involvement of her father? Her becoming involved herself, the dangers? Arms in Latin America in the 1980s? Having to cover, the relationship was Morrison, her death?
4. The work in Washington, the office, the 1984 election, Reagan and his policies, Latin America? Press conferences, the officials, the advisers? Resentment towards Elena? Morrison and his role, the advice, the atmosphere?
5. The experience of El Salvador, the violence, cover, having to get out of the country?
6. Alma, her relationship, her work in the office, stories, supplying information for Elena?
7. Contact from her father, the puzzle about him, the arms deals, the 80s, Reagan, contacts and contracts? The range of types involved in the illegal arms imports?
8. Morrison, his role in government, advice, control, interest in Elena, the relationship with the arms deals? His presence, sinister, the sexual relationship? His stances, killing a Lena?
9. Paul Schuster, his background, gay bars, refuge in Latin America, his lifestyle, welcoming him Elena, her work for him, the cover? His being murdered?
10. The range of plot details and interconnections, characters? The criticism of the film as being confusing and with too many characters and situations?
