The Current War: Director's Cut

One of my friends actually told me about this movie and got me interested enough to try and track it down... but it took quite a while to find it to watch. Ultimately, I'm glad I did, as there was a very interesting historical story about the Current War between AC and DC power - I really think the world be a totally different place if we'd taken to more of Nikola Tesla's inventions earlier, as even in modern day times today, we're still re-discovering some of his inventions and utilizing them for newer technology. But both Edison and Tesla are talented inventors in their own rights. I did feel that the storytelling here could have been better, but I usually lower my expectations for scientific/medical subjects that make their way onto the big screen.

A breathtakingly gorgeous film that illuminates the creative inventing process, showing how it is both helped and hindered by competition. The acting is superb; there are no heroes or villains; and there is no predictable, formulaic structure. What there is, is a compelling story tinged with triumph and sadness, perfectly summing up what it means to live in our world that ever changes and evolves for both better and worse simultaneously.

The industrial era had some dope things being created - and this movie tries to synthesize the energy around it. And even with such a great cast, it doesn't quite do that.

The story is intriguing and so full of potential, but it was wasted in terrible fast-paced picture, and although the acting is very commited with the subject, we get a little bit confused sometimes because of the fast story (we do not care about the characters so much just like others movies, and that is a problem when we talk about biopics), but it is interesting to watch the war itself.

As a lifelong resident of West Orange, New Jersey, where Thomas Edison's home and a small part of his factory complex is a National Park, I had an interest in seeing "The Current War". However that is not the only reason. The movie's very talented cast is another reason. Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon are both very good as Edison and George Westinghouse respectively. Tom Holland is also very good as Edison employee Samuel Insull. The movie also has the benefit of an excellent production design. Despite these things working in the movie's favor, it is not without its problems. The movie seems very formulaic. While it is true that Thomas Edison went to great lengths to discredit George Westinghouse and Westinghouse's inventions and did actually electrocute animals to show the dangers of AC Current, they just seem very contrived here. Maybe because I have seen it many times in in the past in other movies. The dialogue seemed clichéd in many instances. The way the movie presents the rivalry between the two men, also seems formulaic. While it is true that the Westinghouse did ultimately win the contract to provide electricity to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (Not "The Chicago World's Fair" as the movie says.), it is portrayed as a triumph of good over evil and I did not care for that. "The Current War" is not great but it does have enough working in its favor to make it worth seeing at least once.

A really enjoyable historical film. It does a good job of staying entertaining while hitting the key points in the "current war". It shows lesser known facts about Tesla and Edison and does a pretty good job of staying historically accurate. The Acting is great, Cumberbatch always kills all his roles. If you like historical films you will enjoy this.

Racconto dal ritmo vorticoso che "accende" una rivalità che ha spinto lo sviluppo ad una crescita rapida e continua. I personaggi vengono proposti in maniera completa, senza tralasciare gli aspetti negativi e spiegando con molta chiarezza tutti i eventi che hanno scandito quegli anni e riuscendo a rendere comprensibile anche ai profani un argomento non semplice. Il finale con la conversazione tra i due rivali è assolutamente all'altezza, anzi, probabilmente è il momento migliore del film.

The Current Wars – Edison, Tesla V/S Westinghouse but Watt Happened? With startlingly good images that begin from the very first scene, you feel you're in for a terrific viewing experience. It's filled with superb production design (as good as you'll ever see) but within the first 20 mins the rapid editing begins to make your eyes spin and your brain wants to go to sleep. Seems this was re-edited following its first audience test screening - in a valiant attempt to save it from boredom. How could this fascinating subject, involving two of history's modern heroes (actually three with Tesla's sad story!) working on a life-changing invention that will alter every life in the world forever - ever become boring? Sadly it does, by being stifled with ‘Style over Substance'. While aiming for an award-winning look, somehow the filmmakers forgot to keep their subjects as the main focus of the audience. It's a tremendous fact-based story and deserved to be told in a fashion that compelled the viewer to be riveted throughout. Many may find themselves left at the halfway mark, if they make that far, others may need a second viewing in an attempt to wade through the frenetic maze. Having Scorsese's name on the credits is no help - he often hinders projects with unnecessary style, as might be partly the case here. With all the talented names involved this should have been a masterpiece but ends up as an interesting failure.

The Current War had a checkered journey to the screen. This latest version is I believe an improvement on the first one released but it is still a film of faults although one that does have some admirable parts. The true story of 19th century titans Edison and Westinghouse is a fascinating one but I don't think this film conveys the story well enough to be truly satisfying. The 'current war' was a battle between inventor Thomas Edison and industrialist George Westinghouse to bring electricity to the greater American public. They were both brilliant men who ultimately become hateful of one another. But this film feels like it could have been more focused and considered in delivering the tale. It feels very busy at times, trying too hard to be flashy and not concentrating enough on the story unfolding. It makes for an uneven film with dazzling moments but a confused one as well. Which is a shame as the cast is awesome, headlined by true giants in Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon. They are truly superb. But the source lets them down a bit.

Great movie. The actors, script, and of course the directing is amazing, if you read the overview and can't imagine it would be good. It's better this director rarely has made a bad movie. Make a point to check it out.