Page 17 - Boca Club News - July '20

Boca Club News, Page 17
Film Review:

“The Current War: Director’s Cut”

By Nils A. Shapiro In a dramatic display and with excellent acting, superb costumes and sets, this
This film’s title requires some clarification. The of success, and example did not do very well at the box office---$11.8 million
word “Current” refers not to some present-day military of Edison’s flair for public against a budget of $30 million---and critics’ reviews were
conflagration, but instead to the flow of electricity: for relations, he announces a just slightly above average. I suspect that’s because the
example, “alternating current” (AC) vs. “direct current” special event at which screenplay, and the director’s interpretation of it, called for
(DC). And the decision to add the words “Director’s Cut” to he will light up an entire a mood of understated acting rather than one of intensity
the title when the film was released in the U.S. in October of section of Manhattan and rage.
2019 was made necessary to differentiate it from the original with electric bulbs—a While the film might not provide conflict electrifying
2017 unreleased version that was purchased from Harvey shocking spectacle to enough for some viewers, I found this excellently
Weinstein’s company when that firm folded because of its a populace that had, performed, elegantly produced and informative presentation
founder’s legal problems. until then, known only of an important period of our nation’s---and the world’s---
Now that its background has been illuminated for you, street corners with gaslit history to be very rewarding, and well worth your time.
I can reveal that this is the story of two men who devoted lamps. It is one of the *****
thirteen years of their lives---from 1880 to 1893---battling most impressive scenes “The Current War: Director’s Cut” has been streaming
each other in a race for the right to light up the then gaslit in the film. on Amazon Prime. The DVD is available for rental from the
cities of the world with their brand of electric power. But gradually, as Boca Raton Public Library.
By 1880, Thomas Edison (played here by Benedict Westinghouse meets with representatives from cities
Cumberbatch) had already earned a reputation as a technical throughout the U.S. and points out the benefits of his Humor
genius. Demanding and difficult by nature, his work on alternating current, including its lower cost, Edison
direct current (DC) was being funded by J.P. Morgan, one of becomes increasingly frustrated. As he loses business to
the world’s wealthiest men—despite, if this film’s depiction Westinghouse, the ever-inventive Edison raises funds with These Laughs
of their personal relationship is accurate, Edison’s refusal to his newest invention, the phonograph.
show even the slightest hint of appreciation for his investor’s While, to his credit, Edison had from the start
consistently rejected all offers to have his electric power
support. used for harmful purposes---even rejecting substantial Are On Me!
Indeed, Edison’s rudeness extends here to the point
of ignoring a previously agreed upon dinner engagement payment offers from the military---the thought of losing
with a successful businessman and his wife, George and business to Westinghouse leads him to take desperate By Ron Hirsch, the Bocaire
Margeurite Westinghouse, who wait at a railroad station for measures. He would convince the world that Westinghouse’s man who provided the
Edison’s train to arrive for their dinner date...only to have alternating current (AC) is dangerous. earlier helpful columns in
it steam by at full speed because the inventor has changed Without giving away too much here in the form of Boca Club News about how
his mind without notice. spoilers, it is sufficient to say that, through Edison’s to take care of one’s home,
It is a decision he will later regret. influence, a horse is electrocuted with alternating current demonstrating the wide
When Westinghouse (played by Michael Shannon) in front of reporters, and the Electric Chair is developed range of interests that make
decides to enter the “current war,” he sees alternating current for the first time and a law passed authorizing its use with Ron so interesting.
(AC) as a better solution to the problem of electrifying the alternating current to punish prisoners in the U.S. Some things are better left
cities of the world than Edison’s direct current (DC), which Finally, both Edison and Westinghouse are invited to bid unsaid:
can only provide electric power up to one mile, requires for the opportunity to illuminate the entire 1893 Chicago Question: If you could live
many more regenerations, and thus is more costly than AC. World’s Columbian Exposition, the greatest World’s Fair forever, would you and why?
(To his credit the film’s director, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, of its time, an enormous project that will draw millions of Answer: I would not live forever, because we should not
is able to make this technical point clear early on, so that it visitors and establish forever the reputation of the company live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever,
doesn’t get in the way of the story’s flow, even for a “tech that is selected for that business contract and honor. then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever,
dummy” like me.) It is in the final scene, when the two men meet at the which is why I would not live forever.
Edison has an opportunity to utilize AC, as well, when the Exposition, that Edison mentions his newest invention... --Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss Universe contest
brilliant Nikola Tesla brings the fruits of his own efforts to the one we recognize will change the world forever: motion *****
Menlo Park headquarters, but---although Edison recognizes pictures. “Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the
Tesla’s genius and hires him---his stubborn commitment to For a film whose subject matter is of such historic lowest crime rates in the country.”
DC causes him to dismiss the option out of hand. importance, based on a genuinely dramatic true story, --Former Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, D.C.
*****
“I’ve never had major knee surgery
on any other part of my body.”
--Winston Bennett, former University
of Kentucky basketball player
*****
“Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving
kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry.
I mean I’d love to be skinny like that but not with all
those flies and death and stuff.”
--Mariah Carey, pop singer
*****
“The police are not here to create disorder.
They’re here to preserve disorder.”
--Former Chicago mayor Daley during the 1968
Democratic Party convention
*****
“China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese.”
--Former French President
Charles de Gaulle
*****
“I haven’t committed a crime.
What I did was fail to comply with the law.”
--David Dinkins, Former NYC Mayor,
when accused of not paying his taxes.
*****
“The Internet is a great way to get on the Net.”
--Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole
*****
“Things are more like they are now than they ever were
before.”
--Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
*****
“Traditionally, most of Australia’s imports come from
overseas.”
--Former Australian cabinet minister Keppel Enderbery
*****
“We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees.”
--Jason Kidd, upon being drafted to the Dallas Mavericks