Making a film about one of Hollywood's greatest screenwriters will inevitably lead to unkind comparisons with the work of the man himself. Dalton Trumbo, writer of Roman Holiday, Spartacus and Papillon (amongst many others) would doubtless have done a better job at writing his own story than John McNamara (a prolific writer for TV) but then sometimes biopics can find themselves creatively hog-tied by the constraints of history. This film may occasionally reach moments of Trumbo-esque witticisms but is ultimately a lightweight romp through Hollywood's Golden Age.
Dalton Trumbo, played by Bryan Cranston was a wealthy, successful screenwriter in post-WWII Hollywood. His outspoken political beliefs soon brought him to the attention of the Un-American Activities Committee and following a protracted legal battle, Trumbo and some of his fellow screenwriters found themselves jailed and blacklisted. The film follows Trumbo's long struggle to find work in the industry by whatever means necessary and end the blacklist that ruined the lives of so many in Hollywood and further afield.
The main draw of the film is undoubtedly Bryan Cranston, who puts in a strong, charismatic performance as Trumbo. Then there are the “Stars in Their Eyes” moments as actors attempt to inhabit the skins of famous Hollywood faces; Edward G. Robinson (Michael Stuhlbarg), John Wayne (David James Elliott) and Kirk Douglas (Dean O'Gorman) – great fun. Having said that, it's difficult to imagine anyone really falling for this film. Although it's handsomely staged and has a great deal of charm, its pacing is distinctly uneven and my interest began to wane three quarters of the way through the running time.
The film provides an intimate, personal take on the Communist trials and does so in an accessible, entertaining way. With more judicious editing, Trumbo could have maintained its solidly entertaining pace, but as it is, the film lags heavily in the middle. Nonetheless, for film fans, Trumbo has enough charm and wit to see it through.