Miss Sloane

Director: John Madden John Madden

Overview

An uncompromising and formidable lobbyist (Jessica Chastain) takes on the powerful gun lobby in the wake of several mass shootings, but her mission quickly becomes a frustrating ordeal that threatens to derail her career. Mark Strong, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alison Pill, John Lithgow, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Sam Waterston co-star in this drama directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love). ~ Jennifer Lackman

Product Details

Release Date:	05/08/2018
UPC:	0031398288022
Original Release:	2016
Rating:	R
Source:	Lions Gate
Sales rank:	4,787

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jessica Chastain	Elizabeth Sloane
Mark Strong	Rodolfo Schmidt
Gugu Mbatha-Raw	Esme Manucharian
Alison Pill	Jane Molloy
Michael Stuhlbarg	Pat Connors
Jake Lacy	Robert Forde
Sam Waterston	George Dupont
John Lithgow	Senator Sperling
Meghann Fahy	Clara Thompson
David Wilson Barnes	Daniel Posner
Aaron Hale	Spencer
Al Mukadam	Ross
Douglas Smith	Alex
Grace Lynn Kung	Lauren
Noah Robbins	Franklin
Chuck Shamata	Bill Sandford
Raoul Bhaneja	R.M. Dutton
Andrew Moodie	Doctor (V.O.)
Kyle Mac	Moore
Austin Strugnell	O'Hara
Zach Smadu	Ramirez
Enis Esmer	Brian
Angela Vint	Brenda Patterson
Kevin Jubinville	Senator Wallace
Lee Smart	UAPD Fundraiser M.C.
Helen Johns	Lady in White
Anand Rajaram	Dr. Raj Amarasekara/Matthew Kantaria
Rick Campanelli	Reporter
John Gallagher	Radio DJ
Christine Baranski	Evelyn Sumner
Anthony Furey	TV Producer
Rick Roberts	Senator Mandel
Murray Furrow	Parr
Courtenay Stevens	Larsson
Craig Eldridge	Senator Hank Badgley
Sergio Di Zio	Big Sam
Joe Pingue	Little Sam
Dylan Baker	Jon O'Neill
Gurdeep Ahluwalia	News Anchor
Michael Cram	Frank McGill
Jack Murray	Buzz Cut Shooter
Ola Sturik	TV Reporter
Paul Mcguire	Talk Show Host
Alex Castillo	Pru Walsh
Doug Murray	Mike Gordon
Greta Onieogou	CKW Junior
David Rosser	Senator at Hearing
James Passero	Hallway Reporter
John Milson	Hallway Reporter

Technical Credits

Jonathan Perera

John Madden	Director
Alexander Berner	Editor
Sebastian Blenkov	Cinematographer
Ben Browning	Producer
Patrick Chu	Executive Producer
Telsey and Company	Casting
Robin D. Cook	Casting
Matthew Davies	Production Designer
Francois Fayard	Sound Editor,Sound/Sound Designer
Dominique Gaborieu	Sound/Sound Designer
Claude Leger	Executive Producer
Lorenzo Millan	Sound Mixer
Dan Norton	Set Decoration/Design
Bridget O'Driscoll	Sound/Sound Designer
Yves-Marie Omnes	Sound/Sound Designer
Jonathan Perera	Screenwriter
Max Richter	Score Composer
Andrew Robinson	Asst. Director
Aaron Ryder	Executive Producer
Jeff Skochko	Special Effects Supervisor
Mark Steel	Art Director
Kris Thykier	Producer
Jonathan Vanger	Executive Producer
Georgina Yarhi	Costumes/Costume Designer
Ariel Zeitoun	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Madeleine Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain), a high-level, pill-popping, cutthroat lobbyist in Washington, D.C., is described by a colleague as a real "piece of work" in this scathing and timely political thriller. And that's an understatement: Sloane's only goal is to win, and if that means she has to manipulate, belittle, embarrass, and run roughshod over people -- even those closest to her -- then so be it. "The end is my concern," she says, and achieving that triumphant outcome always justifies the means. Always. The film begins with a congressional hearing, led by Sen. Ronald Sperling (a tough John Lithgow), that is investigating some of Sloane's alleged unethical practices (which supposedly include espionage). She pleads the Fifth to every question. The story then jumps back several months to Sloane's time working for a top-tier lobbying firm, as the movie explains how she got herself hauled in front of the committee. Her boss (Sam Waterston) wants her to lobby on behalf of an NRA-like advocacy group that's trying to persuade women to join their side in defeating proposed gun-control legislation. Although Sloane's morals are dubious at best, there are causes she believes in and gun control is one of them, so she bolts to a crosstown firm representing the opposition. From there, the film lays bare the dirty dealings carried out by lobbyists and special-interest groups, who will do anything to push their agendas through Congress. Sloane, with her flaming-red hair, scarlet lipstick spattered on like war paint, crisp power suits, and stiletto heels, confidently maneuvers through influential D.C. meetings, receptions, and dinners like a great white shark, devouring anyone who gets in her way. "Were you ever normal?" someone asks Sloane, after learning about another of her dirty tricks. The incisive script, written by first-time scribe Jonathan Perera, hints at a troubled past, although it's never fully explored. The lack of backstory dehumanizes Sloane and makes her difficult to like, but, as played by Chastain in a sizzling, Oscar-worthy performance, she's never less than riveting. You simply can't take your eyes off of her as she delivers rat-a-tat, Sorkin-esque dialogue that allows her to display her withering intellect and cruel wit. She's a cross between Scandal's ruthless, over-prepared Olivia Pope and the titular merciless genius of Sorkin's Steve Jobs, neither of whom suffer fools gladly. You wouldn't want to work for her or be her friend (that is, if she had any friends), but you most certainly would want her in your corner in a dogfight. Miss Sloane boasts a terrific ensemble cast that includes Alison Pill as a Sloane clone who defies her idol; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a whip-smart but meek associate who is forced into the limelight; Michael Stuhlbarg as a rival lobbyist determined to bring Sloane down; and Mark Strong as Sloane's new boss, who is shocked by his hire's duplicitous nature. Directed with crackling intensity by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, The Debt), the movie occasionally gets bogged down in preachy political rhetoric, but thankfully, Chastain is always there to bring the scenes back to life with a scalding glance or witty retort. At a shade over two hours, Miss Sloane could have used a little trimming, yet viewers will quickly forgive the lengthy runtime once its powder-keg finale explodes and erupts in lively debate on the drive home.

All Movie Guide - Tim Holland