By the time Guy Maddin’s Rumours arrives in UK cinemas, the Americans will have chosen their next president (possibly). As for the current world situation – who knows? Which makes the timing of the film’s arrival, both now at the London Film Festival and more generally at the end of the year, appear to be bang one the money – a topicality the director tries to reflect.
Against the background of a world crisis – it could be economic, environmental or both – the leaders of the G7 assemble to put together a declaration of intent on the way forward. The eyes of the world look to them for leadership so, after the mandatory photocall, they get together for a working dinner under the stars. Then things turn weird. The phones stop working, all their staff disappear, what seem to be mummified bodies come to life, there’s explosions and the world seems to be on fire. Yet, despite all that, they manage to stay focussed on drafting their document.
No prizes for guessing this is a satire, and one with some transparently – and, many might say, deserving – targets. Top of the list, of course, are the seven heads of government, representing the current crop of political leaders. Left to their own devices, they’re laughably ineffectual when it comes to the art of survival and little better at showing leadership in the face of global crisis. From the German head of state, Hilda (Cate Blanchett) for whom appearance is all, to lovelorn Canadian premier, Maxime (Roy Dupuis) and sleepy American president Edison (Charles Dance), none of them inspire confidence or show any signs of being decisive. With no entourage to advise and look after them, they’re on their own – like everybody else in the world – and singularly ill-equipped to fend for themselves.
Maddin paints a bleak picture of the future and an even bleaker one of ineffectual, limp world leaders. And it’s no great credit to them that they manage to get their statement written, which they see as an achievement. The problem with the film is that, while it’s an intelligent idea and there’s some reasonably effective humour in there, as a satire it’s sadly blunt. The number of times it hits the mark is sadly outweighed by the misfires. What should be scathing is more of a giggle and little else, while its core idea doesn’t go far enough, so you’re left scratching your head – especially when a giant brain puts in an appearance.
With so many baffling moments and unanswered questions – why, for example, does Dance’s American president speak in the actor’s rounded English tones? – Rumours ends with a whimper rather than a bang. Maybe that’s the point…
Rumours screens at the London Film Festival on 13, 14 and 20 October. It is released in the UK cinemas on 6 December.
