Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Runtime: 107 Minutes
Main Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Tom Holland, Katherine Waterston, Tuppence Middleton, Matthew Macfadyen, Damien Molony
Plot: Set in the 1800s, The Current War is a retelling of the cutthroat race between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose electrical system will change the way the world works.
My Thoughts: So this is how my week has gone. Love Island has finished and I have no more distractions on an evening – huzzah! So let’s see what’s new at the cinema…oh wait. NOTHING. Did no one want to release anything at all whilst The Lion King is playing for its first week? The only thing new in my local was The Current War, a movie that was meant to be released in 2017 but got shelved because of the Weinstein scandal. I can’t say I was excited to see it but look at that cast! It was worth a go just for them.
History was my least favourite subject at school – I detested it. So the great thing about biopic movies for me is that I don’t actually know what’s going to happen! Which is terrible I suppose, but at least it made a not-so-interesting subject matter a little more exciting for me. I have to admit as well – it wasn’t until the day after that I realised the pun in the name of the movie, the ‘current’ war…no, neither me or my toddler are sleeping well this week!
I have to say though, I did enjoy the movie. It was quite fascinating the lengths that Edison went to during the race, and I had to laugh at the irony of the fact that Westinghouse years later was awarded “The Edison Award” for his work! It’s not a movie I’ll probably watch again, but it was much more interesting than I thought it would be. Solid performances all round, too!
Best Bit: I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing Benedict Cumberbatch playing an up-his-own-arse genius. I think he’s at risk of being typecast right now but when he does it so well it’s hard to criticise him for it.
Worst Bit: I did actually know about what happened to the first electric chair trial, but must have forgotten about it. I can’t imagine how it must have felt when it failed to work not once but twice!
Fun Trivia: Jake Gyllenhaal was originally cast alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, however, Gyllenhaal dropped out and Michael Shannon was brought as a replacement.
My Rating: 3 bright, shiny lightbulbs that might kill you, if you listen to Edison.
P.S. Does anyone else think Michael Shannon looks like Ron Swanson in the poster?
Often Off Topic 
I thought about seeing it yet I also heard the film went through some troubles during the post-production because of Weinstein and when Weinstein got busted, the film got lost following its premiere in Toronto which is why it took so long to release it. I want to see it because of the subject matter as I have been aware so much about Thomas Edison’s rivalry with other inventors including Nikolas Tesla whom he hated.
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Yeah I can’t help but feel sorry for the others involved in making the movie – to see their work pretty much shelved for 2 years! It’s an interesting story for sure – I had no idea how low Edison sunk to try and win.
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They hinted that as well in The Prestige if you remember the small subplot of Tesla dealing with his own rivalry with Edison. For all of the brilliance that Edison has done, he was also an asshole.
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I’ll see it when it’s on Netflix or something – I don’t wanna pay for it – for Shannon for sure, he is always so great
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Yeah it’s one of those – worth it for the performances but it’s nothing to rush out to see!
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I keep forgetting about this movie, I would like to see it for the cast. I need to save it in my Netflix queue now
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Yes! Get it in there now! It’s worth it for the cast if nothing else 🙂
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I’ve been super excited about this film since 2017 as I do love history myself, the subject matter, and have long wanted to see Thomas Edison be portrayed in a new theatrical film. Hope I enjoy it!
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Oh in which case I think you’ll LOVE this!
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I was thinking the same thing as ninvoid99. The Prestige is one of my favourites and I remember the rivalry between Tesla (played by David Bowie!) and Edison. My brother actually lives in an Edison house up here in Canada:-)
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No way, that’s so cool! I remember ever so slightly the roles Tesla and Edison had in that movie but it’s been so long since I last saw it!
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I can’t wait to see this one! I’m such a sucker for both Holland and Cumberbatch, so it’s a must-watch for me.
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Yesssss that’s exactly why I watched it! They share quite a few scenes together 🙂
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Now I’m even more excited 😀
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