All The King's Men (2006)

 

All The King's Men - 2006

Coming up next is 2006's "All The King's Men".  It's the story of Governor Willie Stark of Louisiana.  We trace his story of his humble origins to his grasp on the highest office in the state.

The film's cast includes Sean Penn, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini, Jackie Earle Haley, Kathy Baker, Talia Balsam, and Eileen Ryan.

In the state of Louisiana, Willie Stark is on the rise.  He runs for the office of governor on the platform of helping everyone in the state, and not just the rich people.  "The only person who will help is a hick is another hick," says Willie to enthusiastic crowds.  He's elected to the governorship, yet he uses his position for his own gain.

Helping him on the path to the governor's office is journalist Jack Burden.  Willie has chosen Jack because of his political connections and his knowledge of the inner workings of Louisiana politics.

These connections include Judge Irwin, Jack's godfather and former state attorney general, who has a good deal of influence in various state offices.

They also include Anne and Adam Stanton, the children of a former Louisiana governor and Jack's childhood friends.  Jack and Anne even had a bit of a romance going for a time.

Eventually, Willie is murdered because of the way he used people and the way he used his office, thus bringing to an end a very controversial time in the governor's office.  

NOTE: This is not a film I enjoy watching for the storyline.  I feel it's very long and drawn out, way more than it needs to be.  But, as I've said before, a good blog posts the good along with the bad.  There is some good here, as we'll see.  Below, I'll be posting some of my favorite scenes in the film.  They are very beautifully and creatively shot.

One of the scenes that I think is shot beautifully is the home of Judge Irwin.  Here, he hosts a luncheon for Jack and a few guests.  He also shows off a pre-gunpowder kind of a weapon that shocks the unsuspecting guests.

The scenes of Judge Irwin's funeral, shot under a black sky with a mournful rain falling, are also very well done.

I also like the scenes of the Stanton home.  These were the scenes of some very happy childhood memories for Jack, along with Anne and Adam.  The house was abandoned as the years went by, and Anne only returns every once in a while so she can light a fire to dry the place out.

Another particular scene I like occurs when Jack goes to visit the sister of a man who committed suicide many years earlier (played here by Sean Penn's mother, Eileen Ryan).  Miss Lily Littlepaugh utters a line that never fails to bring a smile to my face: "I wanted him buried in the good part of the cemetery.  Not in the back with all the sinners."

A favorite character of mine is Sadie Burke, a member of Willie Stark's staff and also his mistress.  When she finds out that he is two-timing her with a much younger ice skater, Sadie mutters bitterly, "The world is full of sluts on skates."

I'll finish up with a quote by Jack.  "You only get a couple of moments that determine your life.  Sometimes only one.  And then it's gone.  Forever."

Cast rundown:

   Sean Penn...........................................Willie Stark

   Jude Law.............................................Jack Burden

   Anthony Hopkins..................................Judge Irwin

   Kate Winslet.........................................Anne Stanton

   Mark Ruffalo.........................................Adam Stanton

   Patricia Clarkson...................................Sadie Burke

   James Gandolfini...................................Tiny Duffy

   Jackie Earle Haley..................................Sugar Boy

   Kathy Baker..........................................Mrs. Burden

   Talia Balsam.........................................Lucy Stark

   Eileen Ryan...........................................Lily Littlepaugh

And that's it for All The King's Men.  Despite it's mega-star power, the film did very poorly at the box office.  It was also given negative reviews by critics.  When the film was first advertised, it was generating some serious Oscar buzz, however, that faded once it opened.  Among the filming locations was Albania Plantation in Louisiana.

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