REVIEW: The War is On in Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s “The Current War”
Thomas Edison, a famous inventor who changed the world when he invented a multitude of things including the light bulb. In schools, children are taught about Edison and his life changing light bulb, but did you know he wasn’t the only man who helped revolutionize how we use electricity? For many, the answer is probably no, but for some, they know that there were two other men who competed against Edison when it came to news ways to use electricity. Those men were George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla. Westinghouse believed that alternating current was the future of the world, while Edison believe direct current was the best form of electricity. Along for the ride was Tesla, who also believed that alternating current was what the future needed, thus creating “The Current War” and the story behind 101 Studios’ new film, The Current War.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Edison, Michael Shannon as Westinghouse and Nicholas Hoult as Telsa, the film mainly follows Edison and Westinghouse as they compete to prove that their preferred form of current is the best form of current. Hoult’s Tesla plays more of a secondary character who provides some interesting insights into how we use electricity today. The fun thing about this film is it feels like you are watching a documentary on their rivalry. The film could have easily been shown on the History Channel because of how director, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, opted to tell the story. Sure, there are some parts that are overly dramatic, but a majority of it gives audience goers an insight into how electricity got to where it is today.
Cumberbatch and Shannon are great as Edison and Westinghouse. The one big negative though is we rarely get to see them interact together. The few scenes we do see of them together are fun and electrifying. Tom Holland stars as Edison’s personal secretary, Samuel Insull and does fantastic alongside Cumberbatch. It is nice to see that the chemistry the two had in the Avenger movies carried over to this film. Hoult takes on the role of Tesla and is quite enjoyable as the character. Tesla has some pretty interesting quirks and Hoult plays them with ease in this film.
The Current War on the surface may not sound like everyone’ s cup of tea, but it is actually a pretty interesting film. It has a great cast and you end up learning a thing or two by the end of it. If you opt to not see it while it is in theaters, make sure to check it out when it is released On Demand. It will definitely be worth it.
Grade: B