Sneak Peek Leaked!

Last night I had the opportunity to go see the sneak peak of "The Fifth Estate," the movie all about the rise and fall of WikiLeaks and it's charismatic leader Julian Assange. The movie is slated to come out in November 2013, so the cut I saw wasn't final. However, based on what I saw I would say they don't have much more to do. I thought the movie was fascinating and objective. The controversy going on with Assange and Manning right now is a polarizing topic. The movie does it's best to present the situation, showing the idealism of Assange but also the ego. It's up to the viewer to decide whether they buy into the message or fell he's a hypocrite. The current end frame is Assange saying just this. 

Benedict Cumberbatch does an amazing job starring as Assange. His career has been heating up in the last couple years with roles in Atonement, Star Trek: Into the Darkness, War Horse and The Hobbit. He is already a well established actor on the British television. I wouldn't be surprised is he starts getting Hollywood recognition and award nominations for his portrayal of Assange. On top of looking like him, he embodies his mannerisms, is likable at times, haunted in others and an egomaniac in most. I also really enjoyed the performance of Daniel Bruhl, who played Assange's early idealistic, loyal cohort, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. Laura Linney was her ever fabulous self as U.S. government's Sarah Shaw, although I have issues with her character. While the film showed Assangein a way that showed all facets of him, the film seemed more biased to side with Shaw. After working in government and getting as high up as she did, I'm sure her hands were not completely clean either. And if this movie couldn't get any better, Stanley Tucci is in it! Everything is always made better with a little Tucci in it.

Outside of the amazing acting and mostly unbiased views, the movie was visually stunning. Assange had a lot of allies in Iceland, lending itself for visually beautiful backdrops that fit with the mood. The scenes of WikiLeak's "office" were also really well done. Director Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls," "Kinsey") gets back on track after doing "Twilight: Breaking Dawn." Overall, I hope they don't change too much of the movie before it makes it to wide release.