Our Brand Is Crisis Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton have a sassy political fight in Bolivia, so Bullock quits her job to join a riot.

🍿 Our Brand Is Crisis: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Jane’s Recruitment

Jane Bodine, a seasoned but disillusioned political strategist nicknamed “Calamity Jane”, is living a quiet life away from the political arena. She’s approached by Ben and Nell, representing a campaign team desperately seeking to revive the struggling presidential campaign of Bolivian Senator Pedro Castillo. They need someone with a unique, aggressive approach to shake things up.

The Bolivian Campaign

Jane reluctantly accepts the offer and travels to Bolivia, a country facing its own political and economic challenges. She immediately clashes with the existing campaign advisors, finding their tactics outdated and ineffective. She quickly realizes that to win, they need to completely rebrand Castillo and capitalize on the prevailing sense of uncertainty and fear.

The ‘Crisis’ Strategy

Jane develops the “Our Brand Is Crisis” strategy, framing Castillo as the strong leader who can navigate Bolivia through its turbulent times. This involves manipulating public perception, leveraging media coverage, and exploiting the public’s anxieties. As the campaign heats up, she faces fierce opposition from her long-time rival, Pat Candy, who is working for the opposing candidate.

Dirty Politics and Escalation

The rivalry between Jane and Pat intensifies, leading to a series of dirty tricks and escalating tactics. From spreading rumors and leaking damaging information to orchestrating staged events, both strategists are willing to push the boundaries of ethical campaigning. This ultimately impacts Jane, and she starts to doubt the true nature of her work, as it leads to many negative externalities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jane (Sandra Bullock): A brilliant but troubled political strategist, known as ‘Calamity Jane,’ is hired to revive a failing presidential campaign in Bolivia, confronting her past and questioning her methods.
• Pat Candy (Billy Bob Thornton): A ruthless and seasoned political consultant, Pat Candy serves as Jane’s professional nemesis, employing equally cunning tactics for the opposing candidate.
• Castillo (Joaquim de Almeida): A controversial former president of Bolivia, Castillo hires Jane to help him win the election, despite his elitist reputation and initial unpopularity.
• Ben (Anthony Mackie): A pragmatic member of Jane’s campaign team, Ben hires Jane and often questions her methods while maintaining a sense of humor and loyalty.
• Nell (Ann Dowd): A dedicated member of Jane’s campaign team, Nell assists Jane with the campaign and relies on her contacts to manipulate votes.
• Eddie (Reynaldo Pacheco): An idealistic young Bolivian volunteer on Castillo’s campaign, Eddie is a loyal supporter who eventually becomes disillusioned with the political process.
• LeBlanc (Zoe Kazan): A young investigator hired by Jane, LeBlanc is responsible for uncovering damaging information on both Castillo and his opponents, demonstrating the ruthless nature of political campaigns.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jane: “That’s the world, that’s politics. That’s how it works. It starts out with big promises and ends up with jackshit happening.” – Jane cynically explains the nature of politics and broken promises to Eddie.
• Jane: “If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.” – Jane says this to explain her low expectations for the democratic process.
• Jane: “This is no longer an election, it’s a crisis.” – Jane makes a statement after she decides that a negative campaign strategy is necessary to get her candidate elected.
• Candy: “If you fight with monsters for too long, you become a monster.” – Candy warns Jane about the corrupting influence of engaging in ruthless political tactics.
• Jane: “If you don’t like the road you’re on, start paving a new one.” – Jane’s closing narration as she quits the campaign and joins the protests, signifying her change of heart.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,002,261
• Worldwide Gross: $9,002,261

💥 Our Brand Is Crisis Reviews

Personal Review

I went in expecting a dark comedy and was surprised by the depth. Bullock and Thornton are fantastic, as always, and their rivalry is entertaining. But what really stuck with me was the film’s commentary on American interventionism and the consequences of political manipulation. The ending left me feeling conflicted and made me think about the real-world implications of these actions.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political dramas and satires”
  • “Viewers interested in behind-the-scenes looks at campaign strategies”
  • “Those who enjoy Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Thematic elements related to political manipulation”

Professional Reviews

• KeithLovesMovies.com: “Despite a predictable plot and a sudden change of tone that doesn’t quite work, Bullock and Thornton’s amazing chemistry and command of the screen make ‘Our Brand Is Crisis’ worth a look. The film may be messy, but their performances elevate it.
• DavidNTheDark.wordpress.com: “Bullock is the glue that holds this film together, finding a blend of comedic and dramatic extremes in the truest performance of her career. Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton are the real reason this should be on your watchlist.
• N/A: “Ultimately Flat Comedy/Political Drama that is Unfunny and Confusingly Unimportant. Most Americans have only a Slight Interest or Understanding of Politics Intertwinings and Inherent Mind Control Manipulators. So, it serves No Purpose in Setting this in a Third World Country in Crisis.

Audience Reactions

The witty banter between Bullock and Thornton kept me laughing throughout the movie.: Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton steal the show with their charismatic performances and witty dialogue.

I really liked watching the actors act!: Great acting and an unexpected storyline that isn’t always easy to follow but definitely entertaining.

Overall Consensus: Overall mixed. The actors act very well but story quality is questionable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the 2005 documentary of the same name, which chronicled the actual strategies used by American political consultants in the 2002 Bolivian presidential election.”
• “The role of Jane Bodine was originally written for a male actor, but Sandra Bullock expressed interest in the script and the role was rewritten for her.”
• “Some scenes were filmed in Puerto Rico to resemble Bolivia, adding to the film’s visual authenticity despite not being shot on location entirely.”

🖥️ How to Watch Our Brand Is Crisis?

Our Brand Is Crisis is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) may also be available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon and at local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Our Brand Is Crisis, you might like these similar films:

• Wag the Dog (1997): Both films explore the manipulative tactics used in politics and media to sway public opinion.
• The Ides of March (2011): It’s a direct comparison of moral compromises within a presidential campaign.
• Primary Colors (1998): This film offers a look at the inner workings of a political campaign with flawed characters and moral ambiguities.
• The Candidate (1972): Explores the compromises and disillusionment that come with running for political office, a theme also present in Our Brand Is Crisis.

🛒 Our Brand Is Crisis Related Products

• Our Brand Is Crisis (DVD): Own the movie and relive the political drama at your convenience. A must-have for Sandra Bullock fans!
• Funko Pop! Movies: Sandra Bullock as Jane Bodine: Add ‘Calamity’ Jane to your Funko Pop! collection. A unique and memorable collectible for fans of Sandra Bullock.
• Political Campaign Strategy: A Workbook (Paperback): Learn real-world campaign strategies with this workbook. Offers practical insights into political campaigning.
• Bolivia Travel Guide: Discover the beauty and culture of Bolivia with this travel guide. Explore the locations featured in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Our Brand Is Crisis features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’d Love to Change the World” – performed by Ten Years After

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sandra Bullock: I Didn’t Steal ‘Crisis’ Role From George Clooney | TODAY

Ever wonder how Sandra Bullock landed her role in ‘Our Brand is Crisis’? She sets the record straight about those George Clooney rumors in this interview. It’s kind of cool to hear her side of the story!

Sandra Bullock’s brand is: success

This is a longer interview with Sandra Bullock! She dishes on ‘Our Brand Is Crisis’, her career, and some of the challenges she’s faced in Hollywood. Worth a watch if you’re a fan!

George Clooney Kisses His Wife Amal On The Red Carpet At The ‘Our Brand Is Crisis’ Movie Premiere

Want to see what the ‘Our Brand Is Crisis’ premiere was like? Check out this red carpet footage featuring George and Amal Clooney! It’s a fun little peek behind the scenes. I wish I was there.

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