Geekscape Second Opinion: ‘The Fifth Estate’

The Fifth Estate, a film about the creator of WikiLeaks and all of the drama that ensued upon its creation, dragged at the beginning of the film but eventually picked up.

WikiLeaks creator Julian Assange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness, Sherlock) was a man that many found unlikeable, and a movie focused on this man was a bit tough to take. It started out slow, but picked up as the film went on, especially since it focused a bit more on Assange’s right-hand man Daniel Berg. Berg was depicted in the film as likeable, if not a bit optimistic, and actor Daniel Brühl (Inglorious Basterds, Good bye Lenin!) was excellent in the role.

The excellent acting and amazing collection of actors really pulled along a storyline that was, at times, a bit dull. Stanley Tucci and Laura Linney were superb as U.S. Government officials handling the Wikileaks website. Peter Capaldi and David Thewlis held their own as journalists for The Guardian. And of course Cumberbatch is spot-on as the slightly despicable Assange.

Another positive was how director Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Kinsey) was able to show so many conversations via IM and other computer-related work in an entertaining way. This could have slowed down the film even more, but instead was one of the bright spots.

Is the movie worth watching? Sure it is, if you like films about real life events, journalism or government-type movies. Or even if you’re just a big fan of Cumberbatch. The first half is a bit slow, and possibly spends a little too much time trying to give the back story, but about halfway through it starts to pick up.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Fifth Estate is available now on Amazon.