Trumbo - B

Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo

Rated R, 124 minutes

The superbly acted new biographical "Trumbo" is an often fascinating slice of old Hollywood mixed with some unfortunate politics in its account of the Hollywood Blacklist in the 1940's and 50's. Directed by Jay Roach ("Game Change") and written by John McNamara, it's occasionally too preachy and is best as a behind-the-scenes look at old Hollywood dealings. In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood's top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. He used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice of the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne (David James Elliott) as well as Edward G. Robinson (Michael Stuhlbarg), Kirk Douglas (Dean O'Gorman) and Otto Preminger (Christian Berkel). The engrossing bio "Trumbo" is most memorable for the solid performances and behind-the-scenes look at old Hollywood. "Breaking Bad's" Cranston is affecting and funny as the Oscar-winning writer who would later receive his Oscars and full credit after experiencing life on the Hollywood Blacklist, one of the most unfortunate times in U.S. history at the height of Cold War paranoia. The wobbly first act, dealing with the blacklist in documentary footage style format, is its most uneven, but becomes much more interesting once Trumbo starts writing again and becoming involved with Hollywood classics such as "Spartacus" and "Exodus." It also features a fascinating array of classic Hollywood figures that are remarkably well-played, most memorably by an engaging Mirren as Hollywood's most powerful and famous gossip columnist Hopper, along with Stuhlbarg as Robinson and unknown character actor O'Gorman as Douglas. Also part of the large cast is Diane Lane as Trumbo's long-suffering wife Cleo, whose assistance is somewhat minimized here, Elle Fanning as his frustrated daughter and comedian Louis C.K. as fellow blacklisted writer Arlin Hird. Expect an Oscar nomination for Cranston for his vivid portrayal of Trumbo, and likely for Mirren, who flits in and out and stealing all of scenes as Hopper. "Trumbo" is a satisfying, touching look at a Hollywood legend.