Battle in Seattle (2007)

Director:

Stuart Townsend

Writer:

Stuart Townsend (screenplay)

Release Date:

September 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Plot:

Activists arrive in Seattle, Washington en masse to protest a meeting of the World Trade Organization. Riots and chaos ensue as demonstrators successfully stop the WTO meetings. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On True Story

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Martin Henderson	...	Jay
Woody Harrelson	...	Dale
Charlize Theron	...	Ella
André Benjamin	...	Django
Michelle Rodriguez	...	Lou
Ray Liotta	...	Mayor Jim Tobin
Rade Serbedzija	...	Dr. Maric
Ivana Milicevic	...	Carla
Joshua Jackson	...	Randall
Connie Nielsen	...	Jean
Channing Tatum	...	Johnson
Barbara Tyson	...	Anna
Tobias Mehler	...	Jonathan
Max Teichan	...	Man / Father
Richard Ian Cox	...	Mayor's Assistant

Runtime:

Canada:100 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA | Canada | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Company:

Insight Film Studios

If this style is the new wave, give me more

This docu-drama about the WTO riots in Seattle in 1999 is made in the same style as "Bloody Sunday", "United 93", and "Battle for Haditha": it just shows events in real time without comment. We follow everyone here from the ground up; the protest groups, the cops on the street, their commanders, city officials, a news reporter, and innocent bystanders. Maybe the scenes with the news reporter are the least fleshed out, but that's a fairly minor complaint for a movie that is very involving and entertaining and thought-provoking. Woody Harrelson and Charlize Theron are very good, as usual, and Michelle Rodriguez is perfectly cast. One of the big surprises here is Andre Benjamin, from Outkast fame, who delivers a fine supporting performance; he's irreverent but very smart. Ray Liotta is very effective as the mayor, and the film does a great job of seeing the complexities in elected officials as he struggles to please all sides; he is looking for the protesters to behave while also wanting the WTO to address important issues.

The audience I saw this with at the Toronto Festival gave it an ovation that lasted all through the credits. In terms of pure audience satisfaction, this movie was up there with "Juno" and "Body of War" and "Eastern Promises" as the fan favorites.