Lisa Temple Actress Your Senator, Doctor, Teacher, Mom

I recently saw this movie called Trumbo and I loved it, since it’s one of my favorite kinds of movies. It’s based on a real person’s life set against the backdrop of a well-known event in American history. Trumbo is about one screenwriter’s story during the time of the Hollywood Black List. I’d certainly heard about the infamous McCarthy Era in the 50s, but I’m so thankful for this movie, because it illustrates what happened to these artists and how their lives were forever changed. In it we get an up close and very personal recounting of this strange and politically twisted time, when fear dominated rational thought. Seems like the timing for this movie is perfect, as it feels sort of like the political times we’re experiencing today.

First, congratulations to Bryan Cranston, who is truly astounding in this role! What a wonderful portrayal of this man, whom I didn’t even know existed, but whom I now feel as if I know well. I’m ashamed I didn’t know Dalton Trumbo’s name previously, since he wrote some of the best movies ever: Roman Holiday (Academy Award), Spartacus, Exodus, The Brave One (Academy Award) and Papillon. Both of Trumbo’s Oscars were originally awarded to other people, as he had to use aliases while he was banned from writing. During that time Trumbo also helped a group of his writer friends make ends meet, by giving them scripts to write, also under assumed names.

Congratulations to the entire cast, who all solidly embodied their characters. To name a few, Diane Lane was warm and loving as Cleo, Trumbo’s wife. Helen Mirren is so talented she was almost unrecognizable as Hedda Hopper, the gossip columnist. And Michael Stuhlbarg was devastating as the conflicted Edward G. Robinson. Their world was so clear, so fleshed out and personal, that we were completely immersed in their stories. What a joy and a privilege it would be to be a part of such a beautiful work of art.

This is an important movie to see, and I highly recommend it. Thank you Writers Bruce Cook (book) and John McNamara for bringing this story to light. And lastly, kudos to Director Jay Roach, because this movie is so fine!