A timely drama from director John Madden, Miss Sloane tells the story of Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain), a lobbyist working in Washington DC. Offered the job of heading up a campaign to defeat a bill limiting gun ownership, she turns it down to take a job working for the team who are trying to get the bill passed.
The byzantine world of lobbyists is examined marvellously by Jonathan Perera in what is, amazingly, his debut screenplay. There are obvious comparisons to the work of Aaron Sorkin, and whilst it may lack some of the zip that makes Sorkin’s dialogue so memorable, it is still great stuff.
Also, unlike Sorkin, there is less black and white here. Elizabeth is a horrible person, with very few scruples, but the cause she is supporting is a just one, so are her methods justified and can you root for her? That is for individual viewers to decide, but it is a brave piece of writing.
A terrific cast has been assembled. Alison Pill, Sam Waterston (reminding us that his daughter is not the only talented actor in their family), and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are all impressive. Mark Strong is great as the film’s most sympathetic character, as is Michael Stuhlbarg as the most despicable. Despite all that, it is Chastain who dominates as the brilliant but ruthless Sloane.
The ending of the film may annoy some, as there is a grandstanding moment, but it felt satisfying to me.
Rating: 9 out of 10