Important, exciting, and absorbing docudrama
A wonderful, sane, and spirited accomplishment. It is a very humane multi-protagonist drama empathetic to characters on all sides of the dispute at the WTO in '99: the protesters, the mayor, a policeman, an envoy from Doctors Without Borders, an African dignitary, a news reporter and her cameraman. Only occasionally do a few lines of dialogue seem too message-y or the plot seem contrived. Aided by very genuine and affecting performances from Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, and Ray Liotta, it also has a riveting ensemble of lesser-known actors as the lead protesters. When Hollywood tries to show rebellious characters the rebellion is usually hollow and superficial, as the producers are so clueless and uninvolved. By contrast, this indie is passionate, & made with a feeling of love and concern. It seems to really understand the activist culture it is depicting; their aims, and the obstacles against them. It's timely, and in terms of subject matter, groundbreaking.