All The Kings Men are Hollywood Stars

This movie is star-studded. It is told from the viewpoint of Jack Durden (Jude Law), a journalist in Louisiana with connections who becomes the assistant to an up and coming politician Willie Stark (Sean Penn). Stark eventually becomes governor after pleading with the people "If you don't vote, you can't win!" Sean Penn plays the part magnificently--looking like a hick whose intelligence and dirty tricks empower him. Stark uses Durden to manipulate the rich people who oppose him as represented by Durden's step-father and maybe real father, Judge Irwin (Anthony Hopkins). Durden supports Stark because he believes in the rights of the people to have a decent life, education, roads, and health care--all of which our country is supposed to have as real goals.

Enter Ann Stanton (Kate Winslett), a former girlfriend and childhood friend of Durden's, who just happens to be the daughter of one of the most popular governors of Louisiana. And enter her brother Adam Stanton (Mark Ruffalo), who although a medical doctor must have graduated in the lower half of his class. The manipulation of all these people by Stark creates the climax of the movie--the impeachment of Stark and then the finale, which I won't disclose.

If you are intrigued and/or disappointed by politics, this may be the movie for you. It certainly isn't confined to just Louisiana. I am not intrigued by politics, so that justifies my rating of Good.

Excellent Sean Penn Movie

I saw the previews via another movie that I was watching. I have always admired Sean Penn as an actor only. He is intense, on the edge & makes me feel involved in the story.
The story is set in Louisiana during Huey Long's time period which most people today know nothing about which would include myself. I enjoy passion & ambition until someone realizes how powerful they are & then there is an abuse of power which frequently happens to most people. I wound up loving & hating Sean Penn's character & was quite glad over the quick demise at the end.
If you are interested at all in history through the Hollywood eyes, then you will not be disappointed in this particular movie. Well worth watching just once.

All The King's Men (DVD, 2006)

Louisiana newspaper reporter Jack Burden takes a personal interest in Willie Stark, an idealistic small-town lawyer. Circumstances develop that result in Stark's being urged to run for governor by a local political leader, Tiny Duffy. Jack has been raised around politics. He is the former lover of Anne Stanton, whose father was once governor. Jack was raised by Judge Irwin, his stepfather, an honorable man.

In time, Jack and political strategist Sadie Burke reveal to Stark that he is actually a dupe in the governor's race, expected to split the vote, spout the party line and lose. This opens his eyes to the realities of politics, and he vows not to be fooled again. He defies Duffy publicly and begins to give speeches with straightforward talk that the public appreciates. He becomes governor in the next election, using any means necessary. Duffy now works for him as lieutenant governor. He also has a silent, menacing driver and bodyguard called Sugar Boy. Finally, he encourages Jack to come work for him as an adviser.

Judge Irwin disapproves, seeing Stark as an opportunist. Anne Stanton seems to agree and so does her brother, Dr. Adam Stanton. Willie Stark is a persuasive man, however, and knows how to get his way. He has a pet project, building a new hospital, and convinces Dr. Stanton to run it for him. He also begins an affair with Anne Stanton, provoking Sadie's jealousy and Jack's disappointment.

Criticized publicly by Judge Irwin and embroiled in increasing political controversy, Stark demands that Jack dig up dirt on the judge to be used against him. Jack insists that no such dirt exists, but he does manage to uncover the fact that many years ago, Judge Irwin accepted a bribe. Following this revelation, the judge commits suicide.

Stark has now come to embrace various forms of corruption and uses patronage and intimidation to get his way. Dr. Stanton is told that the hospital is a front for the governor's own personal and political gain (though Anne and Jack comment that this is not the case), and finds out about Stark's relationship with his sister. He lies in wait at the state capitol, and assassinates Stark, but is then shot and killed by Stark`s bodyguard.

All the King's Men are not All There

Although Sean Penn was the main attraction of the movie, it did not do a sufficient job of conveying it's message.

It was really disappointing for the people who have read the book or have seen the old movie. It did not relate to any of the main parts of the book such as Willie Stark asking for Black rights. There was alot of Racial discrimination in the book but it didn't talk about it. Jude Law's character wasn't focused enough. He was suppose to be miserable but you don't get an impression of misery. Penn gave me an ecstatic impression of himself. It was overlaping everyone's character. It's worth seeing once.

It's not what everyone expected it to be. A heartbreaker. Predictable at times such as Adam killing Stark, Judge irwin killing himself, and so on. After Stark's second speech the movie was worthless. I wouldn't buy it but suggest seeing it in theaters, just once.

Watch to see them all fall down!

I would rate this movie on the level of good. There were superb performances by Sean Penn and Jude Law. It was a good movie with a great cast! I rented it, not sure if I would buy it or not, one of those that you only watch once, with the ending it has, not one that I would want to watch over and over and over, but I did rent it and it is worth renting. The plot was good, the characters were good, and the filming was good. Which in my book, is good when the filming is good.
There were some cons, at times it dragged on, like those moments you have when there is a lull in a conversation. And at one point there was a time that it was confusing trying to keep up with all the characters, who was doing what to who.
But other than that, a great rental.