Into AC/DC?
Well, don’t expect ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ on the soundtrack to this movie.
This is “THE CURRENT WAR” and who would eventually would end up winning it.
The cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose newly developed power systems would eventually encompass and electrify all of America—and the world.
Set in the late 1880’s, the competing protagonists were racing against the clock as the winner would end up with the grand prize of illuminating 1893’s Chicago World’s Fair.
And the race was on!
Edison’s direct current with the financial backing of J.P. Morgan and Westinghouse going at it full steam ahead—but alternating powered.And sparks DID fly. Even a model version electric chair came into demonstrative play.
If all this sounds of interest to you, this movie IS for you.
Personally, while I found some elements fascinating, I kept asking myself ‘WHY was this movie made in the first place?’
I guess I just don’t think there’s much of an audience for it. PBS or one of the science, discovery or history cable channels would probably have served as a better platform for this story and movie.
But what do I know, right?
That is not to suggest that “THE CURRENT WAR” isn’t a well made film – far from it.
Its set design and cinematography are all first class.
And lead performances by Benedict Cumberbatch as Edison, Michael Shannon as Westinghouse and Nicholas Hoult playing the side-switching Nikola Tesla all rank high.
The movie was originally scheduled for release by The Weinstein Company and premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.
But after those well publicized issues that followed, the film found itself shelved—that is until a new distributor (101 Studios) acquired it for national distribution this weekend.
“THE CURRENT WAR” grades a C+
