The Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 10/18/13

Reviewed 10/24/13 at Star Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Denny

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Even though this is based on true events, it is a one-sided account from the book written by Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Bruehl). Benedict Cumberbatch plays WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lending a creepiness factor to Julian that made for a perfect choice. It was too long for me at 128 minutes, plus it was dull through the middle stretch and the plot jumped around a bit making it somewhat confusing at times. My dad thought it was more like a 3 or 3 1/2, but we both felt satisfied that The Fifth Estate did make for a worthwhile enough movie.

Back in 2007, technology wizard/activist Daniel comes in contact with the hardworking but very wacky WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. To be fair, Julian's nuttiness seemed to evolve being fed by his ego and eventual instability. In the beginning, the pair are the only two working the WikiLeaks site. The initial purpose was to provide a forum for whistle blowers to anonymously leak information to a secure site to take down evil regimes, crooked banks, and unethical corporations, etc. They slowly take on a few other radicals to work the growing popular site. This makes the aggressive Julian more paranoid and suspicious of those around him. He does have good reason though, but for the time being the information war is being won by "Team Julian". Eventually the group is at a crossroads when Julian decides to take on the United States government. Big mistake, as we soon find out. Giving up the bad guys is one thing, but this is the U.S. after all! At the onset, I feel Julian did have respectable objectives but his extreme unbending stubbornness jade his view on putting innocent lives in danger. This is what Daniel and a few others in the ring can't live with. We don't actually see in the movie what resulted from Julian's ultimate last action, but some interesting facts roll with the credits so stick around for that. Go see The Fifth Estate - in the theatre or at home - and for the most part you will be fascinated with this story.

QUIET Rating system: 2 ½ Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  J