Overview"Affairs of State" is a 2018 American political thriller directed by Eric Bross and composed by Tom Cudworth. The movie follows Michael Lawson (David Corenswet), an enthusiastic young man with political aspirations, who will do anything to acquire power within Washington D.C.'s political elite.
Main PlotMichael Lawson is a recent college graduate and striving political operative with eyes set on a future U.S. presidency. To climb the political ladder, he takes a job with a powerful Senator, Baines (David James Elliott), doing whatever dirty work is needed to advance the Senator's profession and his own.
Driven by the slogan "if you're not at the table, you're on the menu", Michael seeks to show his worth by digging up dirt on political rivals, controling those around him, and leveraging tricks to his benefit. His machinations include him in an intense and scandal-ridden love affair with the Senator's other half, Judith Baines (Thora Birch), and his child, Darcy (Mimi Rogers).
Michael's ambition gets the best of him when he begins an affair with both ladies at the same time, ending up being knotted in a web of lies, deceit, and political maneuvering. As his actions end up being ever more treacherous, Michael discovers that the path to power is laden with risks, and that those he has controlled are not without their own resources.
Characters & PerformancesDavid Corenswet's representation of Michael Lawson encapsulates a blend of appeal and calculated coldness, efficiently recording the essence of a suspicious character whose ethical compass is skewed by the lure of power. Thora Birch's portrayal as the Senator's spouse offers a nuanced performance of vulnerability and shrewd adjustment, while Mimi Rogers provides a complex character in the kind of the troubled daughter Darcy, captured in between familial commitment and her personal desires.
David James Elliott as Senator Baines kips down a robust performance as a male whose public poise masks his conniving nature, demonstrating the often-unsavory requirements of political longevity.
Themes and Message"Affairs of State" looks into the dark corners of political aspiration, exploring the lengths people will go to attain power. The movie dissects styles of aspiration, corruption, betrayal, and the ethical compromises one wants to produce the sake of success.
It uses a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of political power and the devastating repercussions when personal relationships hit venerated aspiration. The story condemns the Machiavellian tactics often used in politics, suggesting that those who take part in such behavior could inevitably end up being victims of their own computing.
Visuals and DirectionEric Bross directs the film with a sense of seriousness, highlighting the fierce environment of D.C. politics, where the players are as unforgiving as the game itself. Using close-ups and tension-driving modifying adds to an environment of paranoia and suspense, showing the characters' steady descent into moral obscurity.
Vital Reception"Affairs of State" received blended reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some applauded the film for its compelling performances and the timely expedition of political machinations, while others criticized it for an absence of creativity and depth in storytelling. The movie appears to strive towards the tradition of political thrillers like "House of Cards", however with varying degrees of success.
ConclusionWhile "Affairs of State" might not redefine the political thriller category, it is a film that encapsulates the shadowy side of political goal and the personal expense of ambition. Through its narrative and efficiencies, the movie offers an appealing, if not completely brand-new, glimpse into the backstabbing world of power politics and the fallout of such a callous pursuit of impact.
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