In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse were the two titans of American innovation. With the country modernizing at a rapid pace, both realized the need for a better way to power society beyond candles and gas.
After some years of development, they both discovered different ways to transmit electric current. Edison stood behind his Direct Current (DC) and Westinghouse championed his Alternating Current (AC). They were similar designs, each with their unique benefits and costs.
But the country wasn't big enough for both of them and only one method could prevail. Out of this situation sprang a fierce competition between the two men, a rivalry labeled "the war of the currents." This war lasted years as they battled endlessly to see whose technology would be the one to forever power and illuminate America.
After having a tumultuous time getting to theaters (that's a whole other story to look up), "The Current War" finally arrives two years after intended.
Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, the film moves like electricity, zipping from scene to scene. The use of sharp camera work and montages oozes kinetic energy that keeps everything moving at a frantic pace, never ceasing to slow down or end. You're gripped within the race and linked to the main characters as they tirelessly persist to be the one on top.
If you're not a natural history lover, this technique will keep you endlessly entertained without boring you with historical details. If you are a fan of history, this technique will still entertain you, but leave you disappointed as moving the film at the speed of light (or current, for that matter) doesn't allow for deeper learning about the events or people attached to them. Anything that is learned is only surface level as there just isn't enough time to develop any factual depth.
It also doesn't help that these shallow details become increasingly difficult to keep straight, especially as the years go by in minutes and characters are split up into several intertwining storylines.
While a mini-series would be the better way to tell this story, "The Current War" is an exciting way to convey history for the screen.
Just like Gomez-Rejon's use of rapid pacing, writer Michael Mitnick's screenplay is expeditious and Sorkin-like. The rivalry between our two main giants is fierce as they snap dialogue to beat each other in the labs and the presses.
And just like the outcome of the directing, the writing here is entertaining but difficult to follow. Mitnick tries to do too much in too little time as he crams the script to the brim with historical facts. As more information is heaped on, it becomes an information overload that is increasingly impossible to keep straight. By the end, you'll feel like you've read a Wikipedia page and will only be able to remember fragments here and there.
Also, Nikola Tesla shows up in the story and participates in the race. While Tesla does deserve to stand with Edison and Westinghouse in the history books, he doesn't belong in this already overly-stuffed movie.
Starring as the brash Thomas Edison is Benedict Cumberbatch, whose American accent isn't as convincing as one would think. Like most of Cumberbatch's performance, you can see the genius of the character within his speech and mannerisms. Thankfully, the genius he plays here isn't as cold as Sherlock Holmes or Alan Turing. There's some warmth under Edison's surface that you can sense through Cumberbatch's performance.
Michael Shannon plays the opposite of Cumberbatch as he is calmer and calculated in his performance of George Westinghouse. He's the more businessman-like of the two as he carries himself more professionally.
Nicholas Hoult plays Nikola Tesla. Just like Cumberbatch, Hoult's eastern European accent isn't on point, but it's fine enough to pass. Hoult does well at making you see the frustration within Tesla as his brilliant ideas are never allowed to flourish.
Lastly, Tom Holland does supporting work as Edison's secretary. As it was filmed before his star power ballooned from Spider-Man, Holland's role is minor and doesn't give him much to work with.
"The Current War" is the most entertaining and needlessly confusing movie of the year. All the talent involved makes a great effort, but their good intentions just come up short of making a great movie. But it's still quite good and deserves to be seen, even if you'd be hard-pressed to absorb and remember most of what it's trying to teach you.
