★★★★☆
28 May 2018
A movie review of THE SUMMIT. |
“Did he say what he wants in return?” Luisa Cordero (Erica Rivas)
Surely we are on the cusp of a plethora of political thrillers hitting cinemas. The news is filled with Trump and Brexit. Politics has overtaken soap opera and reality television as addictive, dark entertainment, but with real world consequences. People are suffering because of the stupidity of too many voters. THE SUMMIT, beyond its Latin American audience, is also especially relevant to those living in the European Union. The film is about the weakness and egos of individuals hampering the breaking down of barriers for the collective good. What might have been dry delivery of preachy venom is instead grippingly cynical and enigmatic.
Surely we are on the cusp of a plethora of political thrillers hitting cinemas. The news is filled with Trump and Brexit. Politics has overtaken soap opera and reality television as addictive, dark entertainment, but with real world consequences. People are suffering because of the stupidity of too many voters. THE SUMMIT, beyond its Latin American audience, is also especially relevant to those living in the European Union. The film is about the weakness and egos of individuals hampering the breaking down of barriers for the collective good. What might have been dry delivery of preachy venom is instead grippingly cynical and enigmatic.
The fools that voted for Brexit disgust many of those in the UK who want to remain in EU. THE SUMMIT is about the tantalising first steps on the road to the formation of a Latin American equivalent to the European Union. South America, Africa and much of Asia were brought to their knees because of imperialism and colonialism, and they have not been allowed to get up off the floor since. Preventing national economic equality benefits those doing the supressing. THE SUMMIT would be filled with hope if not for the wary tone spilling into menace. The movie feels of the now, yet also slightly futuristic as the continent is shown attempting to band together to protect itself and capitalise on its resources.
The conference of the title takes place at a mountain resort in Chile. The focus is from the perspective of Argentina’s president, Hernán Blanco (Ricardo Darín). (Early on we see him give a lady oral pleasure. Nice to see a president giving a lady head in a movie, rather than the reverse cliché.)
Only six months into the job and untested on the international stage, Blanco’s opponents regard him as weak. Is selfishness weakness? One can’t help but feel it is. The personal and the geopolitical combine in this single character.
A historic continental oil alliance is the reason for the Latin American heads of state convening. The desire is for energy autonomy. We get tantalising snapshots of the personalities. THE SUMMIT could have been about any of these leaders. Muddying the waters is the desire by the United States to surreptitiously be included. Representing their interests is silky negotiator Dereck McKinley (Christian Slater – who continues his career resurgence, building on MR ROBOT). The president of Brazil, Oliveira Prete (Leonardo Franco), warns that the USA has a dark and violent way of doing business. McKinley thinks he has found the weak link in Blanco. THE SUMMIT is politically cutting.
Blanco’s personal life is suddenly coming into conflict at this crucial meeting. A scandal from his past is threatening to break. It involves his daughter, Marina (Dolores Fonzi). When the revelation comes, is she telling the truth, or has she imagined it?
THE SUMMIT is intelligently economic and coldly efficient.