Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl and Anthony Mackie
‘A Brilliant Biopic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have ability to catch the attention of audiences like Benedict Cumberbatch. Ever since his rise to fame amid the 1990’s, Cumberbatch has become a bold icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, strong sorcerers or action heroes, Cumberbatch has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Cumberbatch’s strength as an actor has often been his commitment to his craft. His is one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Even when he is not the main focus of a film, Cumberbatch has left a lasting impression. Through his ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, Cumberbatch has created a legacy which has been lasting. A British icon, Cumberbatch has become an iconic actor audiences cherish. By his abilities to play strong characters, Benedict has proven an actor audiences treasure. Throughout a career, Cumberbatch has made memorable movies which are absolutely worth taking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cumberbatch and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “The Fifth Estate” may be his most underrated work. Released back in 2013, Bill Condon’s movie offered a powerful tribute to Julian Assange and his legacy. Packed with breathtaking production, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an engaging biopic. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Benedict Cumberbatch, who embodies a legendary founder of a company. Ultimately, what makes “The Fifth Estate” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most biopics, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A breathtaking biopic about a famous entrepreneur, there are many reasons why “The Fifth Estate” is a commemorated film worth seeing.
Based upon true events, “The Fifth Estate” tells the story of an entrepreneur seeking to run an estate. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Julian Assange, a world-famous founder of a company. Assisted with his college Daniel (Daniel Bruhl), Julian has always excelled at running his firm without facing any obstacle. However, Julian’s life forever changes when he becomes the victim of a scandal causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Julian questions whether it’s truly possible to become a founder. Faced with a dilemma, Julian struggles to run a company faceted by social media. As his life begins to deteriorate, Julian questions his devotion to the fifth estate.
Bill Condon is a newcomer towards stories of entrepreneurs. Before he had made “The Fifth Estate”, Condon had never produced a biopic before. It was the director’s attempt to capture lives of legendary entrepreneurs running a big company but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Condon captures an entrepreneur embarking upon a journey to find identity. Inspired with David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, Condon uses montages to capture an entrepreneur seeking to run a competitive network. For instance, montages elevate the company meeting scene. During this engaging scene, Julian has a tense meeting with colleagues of his company. Using stunning montages, Condon creates a portrait of entrepreneurs which is compelling. Montages are tricky to use in most movies. As Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” suggested, montages elevate biographies about mathematicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Condon captures tensions that entrepreneurs seeking to run a company are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Fifth Estate” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street”, Condon effectively employs costumes to capture tensions businessmen are facing. Throughout the movie, Julian’s costumes showcase his transformation into an entrepreneur with a strong legacy. For instance, costumes enhance the scandals scene. During this tense scene, Julian faces a stressful situation as he discovers that he has become centre of a scandal. Using bold costumes, Condon creates a portrait of an entrepreneur that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Carter Burwell’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the burden that entrepreneurs bear. Using stunning production, Condon captures lives of entrepreneurs facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Fifth Estate” is a film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the hardship which entrepreneurs are facing. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Condon effectively uses silence to capture lives of businessmen torn apart. For instance, the silence elevates the business deal scene. During this unforgettable scene, Julian is faced with intense business meetings that test his patience. Through silence, Condon creates a portrait of an entrepreneur that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” proved, silence elevates westerns. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Though an extraordinary screenplay. Condon captures businessmen that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers one of his greatest performances as Julian Assange. Cumberbatch first earned appreciation for playing strange sorcerers in famous comic book films. With “The Fifth Estate”, however, he took on his most complex role. It is hard to portray a legendary founder of an iconic company but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past: intense, charming and emotional in his most complex role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and tension of an entrepreneur. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is a showcase for Benedict Cumberbatch, the supporting cast is also sensational and worthy of appreciations. Daniel Bruhl is brilliant, capturing nature of an entrepreneur that is determined to beat barriers against his favour. Anthony Mackie is magnificent, capturing bold personality of a CEO struggling to run a company. Lastly, Alicia Vikander merits appreciation. As a strong female executive, she brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “The Fifth Estate” will earn praise of everyone for capturing entrepreneurs whose lives deteriorate. Unlike most biopics, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the work of Julian Assange to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Fifth Estate” is one of those rare biopics everyone will adore.
Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch will enjoy “The Fifth Estate” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold biopic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a world-famous tech founder seeking to manage an estate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has never lost his abilities to captivate making memorable movies that audiences always appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 