The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

7/10

Starring

Denzel Washington

Meryl Streep

Liev Schreiber

Jon Voight

Directed by Jonathan Demme

Before we dive into the review of this movie, we need to clarify that it’s nothing like the 1962 classic of the same name. That classic starred Frank Sinatra as Ben Marco, who tries to prevent a conspiracy from unfolding. This remake, however, isn’t bad either. The updated technology and script make it a must-watch alongside the original.

The performances in this movie are also memorable, and it replaces the dark humor of the 1962 version with more chilling scenes that will make the hair on your arms stand up. I have to give a special shoutout to Meryl Streep—she was the standout for me. She brought her own charm and mastery to the role, and you really have to see it to appreciate it. Not to throw shade at Angela Lansbury’s performance as Eleanor in the original, but Streep outshines her in this remake.

Both movies are based on Richard Condon’s 1959 book. The plot follows two men, Ben Marco (Denzel Washington) and Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber), who are veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Shaw is awarded a medal for bravery and returns home as a celebrated hero. However, there are dark elements surrounding Shaw that make him withdrawn and silent.

Eleanor (Shaw’s mother) uses her influence to push Shaw into politics, and before you know it, he’s on his way to becoming Vice President. Meanwhile, Ben is contacted by a former war colleague who shares that he’s been having mysterious dreams about what happened during the war.

Ben also starts having strange dreams, seeing himself and Shaw killing their fellow soldiers. He also sees a man brainwashing them and giving them orders. Ben begins investigating what really happened during the war and discovers a chip in his body. Further investigation leads him to a company called Manchurian Global. Things get complicated when Ben shares his findings with Shaw, telling him that their memories of the war might not be what they seem.

How everything unfolds from there is something you’ll have to watch the movie to find out.

Even though the movie wasn’t a financial success, it’s a welcome addition to the 1962 classic. The modern spin and changes to the story add to the thrill, making it worth a watch. The main thing to have in mind when watching this movie is, even though the science seems farfetched, the idea is a scary one of the possibilities of mind control.