Against most anyone’s predictions, The Interview became the most talked-about movie this December. Before it ever released, the film caused an international crisis – hackers believed to be involved with North Korea hacked Sony and threatened terrorism if the movie was released. In addition, hackers released tons of private information from Sony that has caused quite a stir of its own. Sony was originally criticized for giving in to the terrorist threats, but eventually released the film anyway, primarily online. In its opening weekend, the film made $15 million in online sales, which is without precedent in the film industry.
With all of the international sociopolitical implications, the bar may have been set a little high for what to expect from this movie. Many films, especially sequels, struggle to meet the high expectations of moviegoers. The Interview was no exception, with many people going to a lot of trouble to see the movie, only to wind up seeing a typical Rogen/Goldberg raunchy comedy that maybe feels a little stale, with Rogen playing the under-achieving everyman and Franco playing the dumber-than-possible sidekick. Many reviews I’ve read suggest that they expected a larger element of satire in the film, something that might actually be worthwhile in the socio-political conversation surrounding the tumultuous dictator and his victimized country.
While these are all worthwhile hopes, I don’t think we should undervalue silliness. The Interview, for all its double-entendres, butt-jokes and graphicness, does manage enough relevant humor to speak into the situation. First of all, I don’t believe that humor should have to be strongly satirical or “high-brow” to make a difference. By its very nature, humor is an equalizer. It brings those who are high down to earth and shows their true colors. If you can laugh at something, you can have power over it. I have to assume this was part of the point of making the movie, because it actually ends up being the plot of the movie. When their first attempts to assassinate Kim fail, they have to find another way to stop him: they try to take away his power through mockery.
Franco’s character also takes a great shot at American foreign policy when a character questions their decision to assassinate Kim Jong Un, claiming that another horrible dictator will just take their place. “You Americans, how many times will make the same mistakes?” she asks. Franco doesn’t miss a beat responding, “As many times as it takes!” The film uses Franco’s idiotic character as a device, as if to say, “You would have to be this stupid to not understand what’s going on.” When Franco says the above quote, or believes the myths about Kim Jong Un, or falls for North Korea’s propaganda, we are implicitly told throughout the film that it would take an idiot to not see through this situation – and even he ends up coming through in the end.
It may not be the political satire to shake up the world. But The Interview succeeds in showcasing an international crisis and lampooning a leader whose power stems in many ways from fear and misinformation. Into that situation, a movie like this may not be a monumental game-changer, but I still believe it makes a difference, particularly for a younger generation of moviegoers who would see this movie but maybe not pick up Time magazine.
You may also find this review of The Interview helpful:
