WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT
Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Screenplay by Robert Carlock
Based On The Book by Kim Barker
Starring Tina Fey; Martin Freeman; Margot Robbie; Alfred Molina; Christopher Abbot; Billy Bob Thornton; and Evan Jonigkeit
Journalist Kim Baker (Tina Fey) time in Afganistan and Pakistan is covered in this film.
Well there is a lot here.
Kim's life is changing as her relationship with her boyfriend is taking a downturn.
Kim is starting a new job as a female foreign correspondent.
Kim is starting a new relationship, kind of, with a photographer played by Martin Freeman.
The film is sold as a war correspondent film but in reality it comes across as a work place drama with her new friend Margo Robbie.
Kim has this odd relationship with General Hollaneck played by Billy Bob Thornton.
Kim has an odd relationship with leader Ali Massaud Sadiq played by Alfred Molina.
Then there is what they call the forgotten Afghanistan war.
There is a lot here. Which makes the film very choppy. I do not think it is a bad film, I just think if we would have just followed Kim Baker navigating through work as a female war correspondent it would have been an interesting film and still with a little humor. I found the parts of the film when Kim is trying to get around the politics of Afghanistan and the politics of the old boys club of the army interesting enough. Plus dealing with her job showing the relevance of this forgotten war would have made this film cleaner.
Casting...
Molina soooo miscast and almost insulting. His character was not needed.
Martin Freeman miscast. No chemistry at all with Tina Fey. To be honest I really don't like Martin Freeman as an actor, so I come in to the film with that preconceived thought process that I just do not like him so I will not like his character. I know, not fair but I am being honest.
Some hidden gems?
A wonderful performance by Christopher Abbott playing Fahim Ahmadzai a kind of handler for Kim. He almost steals this whole film away, he is that good as Kim's handler.
Evan Jonigkeit as Specialist Coughlin is amazing in just maybe 10 minutes on the screen. His character stays with you long after the film is over.
Last note is that Tina Fey is very good here as Kim. This film is her best performance in a dramatic role.
It is funny I look at this review and I realize it is as choppy as the film. That just shows how much is crammed into this film and it is hard to even review. The film is in pieces and slightly boring in many parts.
3 stars out of 5 for Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. I think it is better to wait for home viewing and even there you may struggle to stay awake.
As always from the shadows thanks for your time.
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