NYFF Review: ‘Rumours’ is a Unique Political Satire

Politics these days has become its own satire, as we all know. Something like Veep almost feels quaint, given where we’ve found ourselves. So, whenever there’s a satirical take on politics, especially on film with a briefer running time, your skewering needs to hit home. Rumours, playing at the New York Film Festival, does so, but does it with a weird sensibility that almost makes the strangeness of it all make a bit of sense.

Rumours is a damn peculiar film, but not without its charms. It’s not a movie for everyone, to be sure, but those who vibe with it may well be delighted by what they find. Having played at multiple festivals to largely positive reactions, it’s clear that the flick has managed to overcome whatever resistance some might have to its odd nature, instead enjoying it simply for what it is.

When major world leaders arrive at the G7 summit, it’s expected to be a simple affair. They have a joint statement to draft, one that will obviously prove toothless, but each feel as though it’ll be a feather in their caps. There’s German Chancellor Hilda Ortmann (Cate Blanchett), Canadian Prime Minister Maxime Laplace (Roy Dupuis) the United Kingdom Prime Minister Cardosa Dewindt (Nikki Amuka-Bird), and the American President Edison Wolcott (Charles Dance) leading the way. The seven are rounded out by French President Sylvain Broulez (Denis Ménochet), Japan’s leader Tatsuro Iwasaki (Takehiro Hira), and Italy’s in Antonio Lamorte (Rolando Ravello). As much as they’re the leaders of the world, they’re also essentially high schoolers, dealing with crushes, cliques, and relationship issues as if they were still teenagers.

Paired off to work on the statement, they eventually realize that their staffs have all vanished. Split up and concerned, they encounter lots of unsettling things, as well as run into European Commission President Celestine Sproul (Alicia Vikander). The thing is, they run into her in the woods besides a giant brain. That’s hardly the oddest thing here in the film, either. You just have to go with it.

Cate Blanchett leads a very game cast, showing off some nice comedic chops. She’s playing the sort of in control/out of control leader that is very up her alley, just with a broadness that you don’t usually see. Blanchett is obviously more than up to the task, so she’s a highlight. Charles Dance also amused me, speaking with an English accent as the President of the United States. It’s an intentional choice, which I appreciated. Everyone gets their moment, but of the other leaders, Roy Dupuis leaves the most impression, personally. The supporting cast, in addition to Alicia Vikander, who more or less cameos, includes Ralph Berkin, Zlatko Buric, and Alexa Kennedy, but Blanchett is best in show.

Directors Evan Johnson (who also penned the screenplay), Galen Johnson, and Guy Maddin throw a lot at audiences, shifting genres and tones more or less at will. The satirical elements are broad, as is the comedy, but when it gets weird, Rumours becomes its very own thing. Having Dance speak as he does, as well as the ending, are bold choices that pay off. Now, the pacing is a little slack and there are times where you’re waiting for something to happen, but the payoff is worth it.

Rumours is probably the oddest NYFF title this year, and that helps it stand out from the pack. Plus, it’s more fun than you might expect, provided that you can get on its very specific wavelength. I totally understand anyone who just doesn’t get the film in the slightest. At the same time, anyone who loves the movie, I get that too. As someone who liked it well enough, I’m just glad it exists.

SCORE: ★★★