Introduction"Run This Town" is a 2020 Canadian political drama film written and directed by Ricky Tollman. The film is embeded in Toronto and features an ensemble cast that consists of Ben Platt, Mena Massoud, Damian Lewis, and Scott Speedman, among others. "Run This Town" is a fictionalized account of the real-life scandal of previous Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who was involved in different incidents of substance abuse and moral indiscretions while in office.
Plot SummaryThe film follows Bram Shriver (Ben Platt), a hopeful young journalist who has actually recently completed his university studies however has a hard time to discover any substantial operate in the field of journalism. He takes a job at TTC, a regional tabloid in Toronto, and is appointed to cover ordinary occasions around the city. Nevertheless, Bram quickly comes across a possible lead on a story that might move his career, including the notorious Mayor Rob Ford (Damian Lewis) and several claims of misconduct and abuse of power.
As the story unfolds, we are introduced to two of Mayor Rob Ford's close assistants, Kamal Arafa (Mena Massoud) and Ashley Pollock (Nina Dobrev), who are both attempting to keep the mayor's behavior in check, and safeguard his image from being tarnished further. They are continuously at odds, as Kamal is ambitious and seeks personal improvement, while Ashley is more optimistic, working for the greater good of the city.
Throughout the film, Bram continues to pursue the reality, while Ashley and Kamal effort to discover the source of the leaked details about Rob Ford's secrets. While examining, Bram discovers a video of Rob Ford smoking cigarettes crack drug, and understands the enormity of the story he has actually stumbled upon, as well as the corruption that infests the city's politics.
The film's climax circles around Toronto Star's press reporters who are also attempting to break the story, alongside Bram. Eventually, Rob Ford faces the consequences of his actions, leading to numerous examinations versus him, and eventually, his elimination from workplace.
Themes and Analysis"Run This Town" checks out different styles, such as power, aspiration, and the complexities of morality. The film provides an interesting character research study of Rob Ford, who is depicted as an insecure and paranoid person looking for validation and power through his political career, which is contrasted with his unstable personal habits.
Bram, the lead character, epitomizes the obstacles faced by numerous young journalists trying to make a mark in the market, and the movie is a commentary on the state of the journalism profession in the digital age. In an industry driven by clickbait headlines and sensationalism, Bram's struggle to expose Ford's corruption and misbehaviours is a testament to the value of quality journalism in a democracy.
The film also dissects the nature of political corruption and the systems that enable it. Through the characters of Kamal and Ashley, we witness the internal battle in between ambition and idealism, and the methods which political leaders and their aides are often complicit in perpetuating this system.
Reception"Run This Town" received combined evaluations from critics, who applauded the movie's ensemble cast and the representation of Rob Ford by Damian Lewis. However, they criticized the movie's meandering story and its lack of focus. The film premiered at the 2019 South by Southwest Film Festival, and has since then been dispersed and released in different nations across the world.
In conclusion, "Run This Town" is an interesting expedition of power, corruption, and the central function played by journalism in uncovering the truth. While it may not have actually fulfilled all the expectations, the movie uses a remarkable look into the political landscape of Toronto during the tenure of the controversial Mayor Rob Ford.
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