2013
Directed By Ari Folman
Starring Robin Wright, Harvey Keitel and
John Hamm
20 years after the release of The Princess
Bride Robing Wright (played by Robin Wright) signs her final contract. She
agrees to have her likeness scanned so the producers at Miramount can use her
image in any way they see fit but Robin Wright the actress will no longer
exist. Robin Right agrees to never act again. At 45 years old our protagonist
is over the hill and all but dead in Hollywoood. In this alternate world she is
a woman who has made bad career choices and is constantly reminded of her
wasted potential.
This film is clearly a satire that pokes
fun at Hollywood on the surface level but it really speaks to the way we treat
women in our society and what we value as individuals. This is a film that works
and plays on many levels simultaneously. It’s both a cautionary tale of where
technology is taking us and a commentary on celebrity. When we value image and
status over expression and heart what are we left with.
We all saw Robin Wright in Forest Gump, a film that used footage
of dead presidents and rock stars with overdubbed dialogue to make it appear as
though they had interacted with a fictional character. It’s a cute experiment
but when I think of it as the first step in a line of events that eventually replaced
actors with scans, it’s creepy and off putting.
The Congress is told with broad strokes and that might lead people
to the conclusion that it’s only an exploration of ageism in Hollywood. The
Broad strokes allow the viewer to relate to this very successful actress
playing herself in an alternate reality. When the viewer is allowed to fill in
the blanks and make their own conclusions the revelations are far more personal
than being lectured for an hour and a half.
Robin Wright gives a brilliant performance in this film. With this
and House of Cards she is on a hell of a role these days and I look forward to
seeing what she does next.
The Congress is available on Amazon and iTunes and will have a
limited theatrical release in September
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