Snowden

"A legtöbb amerikai nem szabadságot akar, hanem biztonságot." Meglepően élénk és szórakoztató Stone, jó forgatókönyvvel. Gordon-Levitt hihető és szimpatikus az IT szupertehetség szerepében, a többi szereplő pedig élvezetes (Woodley a barátnőjeként, Ifans a CIA főnökeként, valamint Quinto és Wilkinson újságírók). Az ellentmondásos téma feszültséggel és ugyanakkor könnyed módon (Nicolas Cage karaktere) történő átadása rendezői szempontból kiegyensúlyozott. A patetikus csiklandozás a végén elviselhető, a film tudja, mit akar mondani, és azt szívvel teszi, és az a lényeg. [Cannes] (2016.05.19)

The director Oliver Stone really shines through the movie. You don’t really buy all the dialogues, but the picking on America is apparent in almost every scene. The wide range of actors backing him is really interesting, so a number of interesting faces appears throughout the movie. Anyway, the most important thing here is Snowden and Joseph Gordon-Lewitt portrayed him fantastically. However, when it comes to the screenplay, it is really boring. The film wants to say something more, but in the end leaves us with what we already know from the media. And whether you agree with Snowden or not really doesn’t matter. The essential is what happened on the Internet since the affair and it only confirmed the myths and theories that have been and still are revolving around the Internet. (2018.01.14)

Stone seeks the long-lost relevance of a commentator, in vain. Snowden's great motto is that, unlike his recent films, he has no annoying mannerist hallmark and falls of quite nicely. Oliver even forced the greatest living Gordon-Levitt impersonator to act, which is a solid accomplishment. Unfortunately, the content of the testimony itself, compared to what the Oscar-winning documentary Citizenfour offered, is more of a clear introduction to the issue, which underscores Stone's well-known critical-patriotic stance on contemporary US democracy. Something provocative is missing, something that would burn into the retina. A tame personal level will not replace it. Snowden passes by pleasantly and finally smiles with uncontrollable pathos. It’s no mess, but also no subversion... [70%] (2016.11.09)

Stone has surprised me again. He's not as mannerist as he was in Savages, and he's not firing as sharply and intensely as he used to, but I still can't imagine anyone else who could make a film about Snowden this honestly and effectively. The fusion of documentary and narrative elements works perfectly, the pace is absolutely unwavering thanks to a barrage of clever dialogues and balanced flashbacks, and the actors are all perfect, with Shailene Woodley in particular keeping the less convincing personal storyline admirably afloat. Sarcastic humour and the character of Nicolas Cage ideally relieve the oppressive atmosphere of "Big Brother", which Stone manages to evoke in some moments thanks to his precise work with camera filters and framing (excellent sex scene). The great impression of attractive filmmaking is terribly marred by the pathetic ending, which perhaps Stone must have entrusted to his sixth assistant director and debut screenwriter, otherwise I can't imagine the sudden spasm… (2016.12.06)

Oliver Stone remains just as critical, slightly caustic and interesting. I'm a little worried that this patriot won't be doing anything more than dissecting American’s biting problems, and that's a bit of a shame (the glorious and "differently" conceived Alexander). On the other hand, Snowden is an interesting subject, decently handled and easy to grasp for an ordinary viewer unfamiliar with the case – even a complete illiterate can understand what is happening in the film and what is related to what. For die-hard political scientists and would-be pundits, however, it may not be the right fit, It's not pure documentary style, they wanted it to be good to go to the cinema and the purpose is fulfilled. (2016.11.20)