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Cube Critic: 'Our Brand is Crisis'

  Play Now [6:58]

by Stephanie Curtis

October 30, 2015

Thornton, Bullock on 'Our Brand is Crisis'
Billy Bob Thornton as Pat Candy and Sandra Bullock as Jane in a scene from 'Our Brand is Crisis.'
Patti Perret/Courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment and RatPac-Dune

MPR Cube Critic Stephanie Curtis joins Jill Riley and Sean McPherson on The Current's Morning Show to talk about a new film that takes a fictionalized look at the work of American political-campaign strategists. 'Our Brand Is Crisis' stars Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton, and is directed by David Gordon Green.

Bullock plays a political consultant who is known to her colleagues as "Calamity Jane." Disillusioned by the political machine, Jane retires from the industry and retreats to a mountain home where she pursues the craft of pottery. She's called back to service, however, by a Bolivian candidate who wants to win an election in his home country. Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton play the opposing consultants for the two candidates up for election in Bolivia..

"There are great scenes between Billy Bob Thornton and Sandra Bullock," Stephanie says. "There are moments that are so funny, but then it doesn't all come together as a drama, as a bigger message. … I enjoyed it but left feeling a little disappointed."

That said, Stephanie gives Bullock high marks for her work. "[Bullock] totally goes all out; I just love watching her," Stephanie says. "She's a great movie star."

Stephanie suggests watching Our Brand Is Crisis on home video may be a better way to view it.

Click the audio player above to hear the complete review.

Our Brand is Crisis is rated R and is showing at theaters everywhere.

MPR's Cube Critics, Stephanie Curtis and Euan Kerr, join The Current's Morning Show to talk about films every Friday at 8:30 a.m.