Watch The Big Brass Ring

The Big Brass Ring, released in 1999, is a political drama thriller that follows the story of a successful and well-respected journalist, Blake Pellarin, played by William Hurt. The movie is directed by George Hickenlooper, with a screenplay by Orson Welles and Oja Kodar, and features an incredible cast, including Nigel Hawthorne and Miranda Richardson.

The story takes place during a political campaign in Missouri, where Pellarin is offered a position in the campaign team of Senator Kim Mennaker, who is running for governor. With a dark history and complexity, the Senator's past involves allegations of corruption, and his candidacy is fraught with scandals.

At the center of the story is the powerful Senator's wife, Dinah Mennaker, played by Miranda Richardson. Dinah is a talented artist and embodies the elegance and charm of old Hollywood. However, underneath her perfect exterior lies a troubled soul, and her marriage to the Senator is far from perfect.

Blake Pellarin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who is at the peak of his career, with his writing gaining critical acclaim. However, he is also struggling with his personal life, going through a difficult divorce and battling a drinking problem.

Despite his reservations, Pellarin joins the Senator's campaign, and in doing so, he finds himself immersed in a world of corruption and scandal. As he delves deeper into the Senator's past, Pellarin begins to uncover a web of lies and deceit that threatens to unravel the Senator's campaign and destroy his reputation.

The Big Brass Ring is a gripping tale of power, loyalty, and corruption. It is a story that exposes the dark side of politics and the lengths people will go to protect their reputations and ambitions.

The movie builds a slow-burning tension that keeps the audience engaged, and the dialogues are sharp, witty, and full of meaning. The performances are top-notch, with William Hurt delivering a nuanced and complex portrayal of a man struggling with his conscience, and Nigel Hawthorne giving a commanding performance as the Senator.

Miranda Richardson is the highlight of the movie, as she brings to life a vulnerable and complex character that steals the show. Her character undergoes a transformation from the elegant and charming politician's wife to a tormented soul dealing with the fallout of her husband's actions.

One of the movie's themes is the corrupting influence of power, and the lengths people will go to keep hold of it. The Big Brass Ring also explores the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals who are pulled in opposite directions, having to choose between loyalty and honesty.

In conclusion, The Big Brass Ring is a must-watch for anyone interested in political thrillers. It is a tour-de-force of tension, dialogues, and spectacular performances, with a message that is still relevant even today. The movie provides a glimpse into the dark underbelly of politics and the human psyche, making it a thought-provoking and engaging cinematic experience.

The Big Brass Ring is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.