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In the world of political power-brokers, Sloane takes on the most powerful opponent of her career and will do whatever is required to win.
Jessica Chastain is a fearsome creature to behold as high powered Washington lobbyist Elizabeth Sloane. With her cutting demeanor and sleek and stilettoed wardrobe picks, one could easily peg her as an exquisite dominatrix. And in all honesty, that isn’t too far from the truth as Miss Sloane has her co-workers and enemies both trying to avoid the sharp pain of her stilettos digging into the back of their necks. While John Madden’s “Miss Sloane” is face paced and full of political intrigue, it is less a political thriller than a character study of a woman’s obsession to win.
Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain) is a lobbyist who wins. Without question, she wins and does whatever it takes to win. Her reputation precedes her and her cunning is in high demand. When she is approached by a NRA-esque organization to help them create a campaign targeting women, Sloane ever so flippantly declines due to her views supporting the need for background checks for gun buyers. Her boss and other colleagues are naturally shocked and appalled by her stance. A rift is quickly created and Sloane decides to leave the firm, taking a handful of people with her, and work for a “boutique” firm who falls on the opposite side of the gun issue. She does her job and does it well, unorthodox methods and all. Winning is all that matters. And although Sloane had a few layers of skinned snatched off her back, in the end she did indeed win.
Chastain is a seemingly perfect pick and yet an odd pick for such a callous role. Some moments she fits the roll coolly and with ease, while other moments seem forced or overworked, losing authenticity. This particularly occurs in scenes where emotions of empathy attempt to breakthrough an otherwise steely surface. Aside from that, Chastain is a marvel as Elizabeth Sloane. You can’t look away as she dominates the screen. While everyone in the film plays out their roles expertly, it must be said that the weight of the film rests upon Chastain.
It’s jarring to watch Chastain’s character unfold without unfolding completely. The best thing about “Miss Sloane,” is that you never really get to know who Miss Sloane is. You see her habits, her thought patterns, and catch hints dropped about how she came to be who she is but there is no real backstory. We aren’t faced with a waterworks sob story and it is delightful. I am fascinated by Miss Sloane but I don’t care to know the blow by blow of her backstory. I much rather leave it to my own imagination than someone else’s to piece together a character and I’m pleased that I get that opportunity with Elizabeth Sloane.
Madden’s “Miss Sloane,” is still cheaply political even if it barely scrapes the surface of political thriller. You get a dose of how our system is “rotten,” and the ending is exhilarating even if you see it coming. Even the least politically inclined person will enjoy “Miss Sloane.”
In theaters Friday, December 9th
