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The career of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo is halted by a witch hunt in the late 1940s when he defies the anti-communist HUAC committee and is blacklisted.
Critic Consensus
Critical reception for Trumbo leans positive, with most reviewers finding it an engaging and worthwhile account of a remarkable real-life story. Bryan Cranston's performance is the most widely cited strength, earning consistent praise for being riveting and heartfelt, with Helen Mirren also noted as a standout. Common criticisms include the film feeling overstuffed and thin in its handling of history, with some noting a slow pace and a failure to dig deep into its subject. A dissenting voice found the biopic bland despite Cranston's efforts.
6 rated reviews · 5 positive · 1 mixed
AI-generated summary of 9 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyCritic Reviews (9)
Updated“The film is a fascinating account of how show business works, where success ultimately subverts everything else.”Read full review ↗
“At times the film feels overstuffed from too much history being condensed into 2 hours. But it's consistently engaging, primarily on the strength of Cranston's riveting, heartfelt performance, which has deservedly earned him an Oscar nomination this year.”Read full review ↗
“Bryan Cranston fails to save this bland biopic of a popular screenwriter...”Read full review ↗
“It all makes for an enthralling story about how far government, industry and individuals might go to uphold what they believe is right.”Read full review ↗
“While the period detailing is great, the film does have a few historical inaccuracies. And yes, the pace can be a bit slow at times but the emotional intensity of the film never sags. And John McNamara's script saves the day.”Read full review ↗
“Watch this one for the brilliant Bryan Cranston and his perfectly delivered lines, a lovely Diane Lane as his wife Cleo and Mirren, a truly terrifying and malevolent journalistic force of nature.”Read full review ↗
“By and large the film is faithful to it's subject and keeps you engrossed and involved in it's drama. So largely fulfilling in my opinion!”Read full review ↗
“Trumbo provides a snapshot of what was clearly a very dark time in Hollywood and American history, but it stays a bit thin on the ground.”Read full review ↗
“Trumbo may not dig deep – for all its pleasures, the film doesn't linger. But it does a fine job of picking up a remarkable real life story of an unlikely hero and telling it with a filmic aura it deserves.”Read full review ↗
Cast & Crew
Cast
- Bryan Cranston · Dalton Trumbo
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje · Virgil Brooks
- Louis C.K. · Arlen Hird
- David James Elliott · John Wayne
- Elle Fanning · Nikola Trumbo
- John Goodman · Frank King
- Diane Lane · Cleo Trumbo
- Michael Stuhlbarg · Edward G. Robinson
- Alan Tudyk · Ian McLellan Hunter
- Helen Mirren · Hedda Hopper
- Roger Bart · Buddy Ross
- Christian Berkel · Otto Preminger
- Peter Mackenzie · Robert Kenny
- Dean O'Gorman · Kirk Douglas
- Richard Portnow · Louis B. Mayer
- Stephen Root · Hymie King
- John Getz · Sam Wood
- James DuMont · J. Parnell Thomas
- Sean Bridgers · Jeff Krandall
- Billy Slaughter · D.CReporter
Director
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Music
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User Ratings & Reviews
1 rating · 0 with a written review
















