Miss Sloane (2016)

Directed by: John Madden | 132 minutes | drama, thriller | Actors: Jessica Chastain, David Wilson Barnes, John Lithgow, Alison Pill, Aaron Hale, Al Mukadam, Michael Stuhlbarg, Douglas Smith, Grace Lynn Kung, Noah Robbins, Chuck Shamata, Sam Waterston, Raoul Bhaneja

Intelligent, eloquent, witty. All of that applies to lobbyist Elizabeth Sloane in the American thriller-drama ‘Miss Sloane’. The red-haired lobbyist works hard, swallows pills handfuls at a time and also likes a good drink. When she really wants to relax, she summons a gigolo to her hotel room in Washington DC, where she has moved in almost permanently. So a beautiful type, but one that you would rather keep as a friend.

The real story starts when Miss Sloane’s employer wants to hire her as a consultant for the gun lobby. She must stop legislation that imposes stricter requirements on gun ownership. Miss Sloane certainly does not like the job and ends up at a lobby agency that is committed to stricter gun laws. Assisted by a team of young dogs and supported by her balanced owner, whirlwind Sloane gets to work.

Anyone who thinks that professional lobbying does not lend itself to film adaptation should watch this fine American drama. Naturally, the screenwriters have opted for a simple and urgent political subject. Gun lobby vs gun activists, where it’s simply about getting as many deputies behind you as possible. The film mainly focuses on the devious tricks and tactical masterstrokes with which both sides want to settle the dispute.

The suspense of ‘Miss Sloane’ is in whether the bill will pass, its greatest charm is in Jessica Chastain’s great acting. Chastain portrays a woman who thunders over everyone, who demands the utmost from her employees, who only knows the word ‘ethics’ from hearsay and who is completely obsessed with her work. She’s a brilliant strategist and an extremely authentic human being that you can’t help but hate.

The tone and style of the film are elegant and tasteful, a sort of combination of ‘House of Cards’ and ‘Suits’. What the film also has in common with those series is that it appeals to the viewer’s intelligence, without being pedantic or overly pretentious. A drama of high quality, but especially suitable for the viewer who is triggered by words such as intelligent, eloquent and witty.