REVIEW: RUMOURS 2024 MOVIE

Every year, the heads of state and government of the world's richest democracies gather at the G7 summit to discuss current world situations and crises. But this year, the heads of state and government find themselves caught in a mix of cosmic and apocalyptic situations. Director Guy Maddin, along with Galen and Evan Johnson, brings us "Rumours," a political satire that examines the sincerity and competence of our leaders and questions whether they will really help us when we need them most. The cast includes Cate Blanchett as the German President, Charles Dance as the US President, Roy Dupuis as the Canadian Prime Minister, and many others in unexpected roles.

There's a lot to like and appreciate about Rumours, but unfortunately the film has just as many flaws. He's hilarious and charming, but he's also extremely unfocused and confusing. The actors have good chemistry, but the film fails to focus on that and get them into really interesting conflicts. Once the ball starts rolling, the characters get into a lot of predicaments that just seem contrived or boring. The film also tries to present the viewer with some pretty puzzling and weird ideas, but they're never really completed or realized. Instead of being compelling or interesting, the film just seems confusing.

Conceptually it reminds me of the Succession series, but it feels like a worse episode of The Office. His satire just doesn't have the sting that it needs to. Instead of coming across as intelligent and funny and weird, she's stupid and silly and at worst just plain embarrassing. Luckily, she still manages to be funny, and that's all that ultimately matters. The cast carries the comedy really well, with Blanchett and Dupuy in particular providing perhaps the best laughs in the film.

There have been far cringier satires, but also far more effective ones. Guy Maddin avoids the pitfalls of minor films by not being too heavy-handed with the ideas and jokes. The jokes are there, but the ideas get somewhat lost in the execution. Maddin's direction here is also pretty flat and casual, and while there are moments that swing very far emotionally, it never really gets to the emotions of the characters. Luckily, the cast saves this film from being annoyingly boring, turning it into a light, easy laugh. The film is available on the Theflixtor .