Jane Bodine is an expert in her field. Having turned helpless underdogs into landslide victors, she can work a campaign with flawless precision. After she is coerced out of retirement by a yearning to compete, Bodine finds herself in the war-torn lands of South America, working to help elect a new candidate who is promising change. But she finds her efforts threatened by a long-time rival who, in the past, has proven to hold the upper hand.
Inspired by true events surrounding the 2002 Bolivian presidential election, David Gordon Green's Our Brand is Crisis is a unique political thriller that relies heavily on the comedic timing and witty banter of co-stars Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton. Portraying real life foes, the pair work their roles to near utter perfection, taking us on a satirical ride through hell's gate as each forgoes the truth in an effort to lead their employer to victory.
Green does a solid job at setting the scene, ensuring that the audience is prepared for the forthcoming comedic undertone to his political mockery; however, he never fully offers up the importance of the election, nor why the campaign sought out the assistance of an American woman. The audience, to an extent, is taken for granted as the story progresses with countless punchlines and pranks yet hardly any meaningful background information. The jabs of actual core matter help to keep the film grounded, but when it ventures into full-on serious mode during the final moments, it seems forced and a bit random.
Both Anthony Mackie and Ann Dowd satisfy as supporting players, though neither ever leap to the front of the pack, instead always playing second to Bullock's Bodine. And that is fine. However, their part in the overall election is never entirely known as they appear in the background or sitting at the table during meetings, though they never offer up much of anything in regard to how their candidate is going to win. That, for the sake of the film at least, is entirely in the hands of Bodine.
As the cat-and-mouse game wages on and both Bodine and Thornton's Pat Candy lose sight of the actual election and focus more on each other, the film segues from a political satire into a high school clique rivalry. The jabs are funny, don't get me wrong. However, the comedy doesn't appear to fit the situation.
All that being said, the film is enjoyable. Bullock gives a stellar performance, showing us just how versatile her skills are, and the story, at its core, does have some value. But it could (and should) have been so much more. While it isn't Green's job to teach, he missed out on a golden opportunity. And though the famed director has found major success with comedy in the past, his attempt to add humor to the world of politics just didn't hit as high as I had hoped.
