Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Unless you lived under a rock, you were at least somewhat cognizant of the antics of our infamous late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Screenwriter and Director Ricky Tollman takes creative liberty from that unforgettable era in the City and tells a story of how a young Writer for a local paper exposes the video surrounding Ford‘s crack-smoking scandal. We see also the City Hall staffers that have to deal with Ford on a day-to-day basis, and this is Run This Town.
The Movie focuses on Bram (Ben Platt) as the young Reporter in need of his big break instead of writing Top Tens, a task he has been underutilized with since writing at the paper. The story also focuses on Kamal (Mena Massoud) and Ashley (Nina Dobrev) as they worked for Rob Ford (Damian Lewis) and all the trials and tribulations that came with that. Bram answers the phone on a just-dismissed Lead Reporter’s desk, and catches information about the said video. He sets himself on a mission to get the video, write the story, and make a name for himself. While this is happening, Kamal and Ashley have to fight to get on the defence to get ahead of the video, spin it, and save Fords career. During all of this, Tollman brings to light some of the more inhumane and awful things Rob did to his staff during this ordeal.
The performances and these characters’ commitment to their goals make this a super-engaging watch. Platt as the determined Writer driven to prove himself to himself, his family, and his boss is a drive that everyone understands. Massoud is passionate about politics and wants to be a power player no matter the casualties, including his girlfriend Ashley who is passionate for what her office stands for. Lastly Damien Lewis is eerily-perfect as Rob Ford with some outstanding make-up and prosthetics, but his uncomfortable presence and demeanor truly resuscitate Ford once again.
Elevation Pictures release RUN THIS TOWN on Friday March 6, 2020.
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