GEORGETOWN
US, 2019, 99 minutes, Colour.
Christoph Waltz, Vanessa Redgrave, Annette Bening, Corey Hawkins, Laura de Carteret.
Directed by Christoph Waltz.
With the title, the focus is on Washington DC, Washington society, political, commercial, business, affluent society.
The film is also based on an actual character, a con man with a shady past, much of it created by himself, engineered with planting evidence. He ingratiates himself into Washington society with his ambitions. He marries an older former journalist, to the surprise of Washington society, to the upset of her daughter.
The journalist encourages his career, sets up a foundation, hosts social functions, makes all kinds of connections.
In fact, the conman murders his wife.
The film is directed by Christoph Waltz (two Oscars directed by Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds, Ddjango Unchained). And he takes on the central role, fitting it perfectly, the smooth villain who does have his moments of upset. There are flashbacks to his fictitious past, his creating of his persona, passing it off in Washington, his marriage to the older journalist, played by Vanessa Redgrave, to the upset of her daughter played by and that Bening.
He glories in Washington society, makes all kinds of international contacts, especially with French Embassy personnel, create a military past in Iraq, works on his foundation and society gatherings for fundraising.
Later in the film, he is seen in homosexual relationships, their affecting him personally and the consequent killing of his wife.
Intriguing in itself but a reminder that it is based on actual characters and events.
- The title, Washington DC, the setting? The film based on the article: The Worst Marriage in Georgetown?
- The device of using chapter titles, evocative, Mott and his behaviour highlighted? Moving around in time, the present, the flashbacks?
- DC settings, the range, apartments and home, social gatherings, political gatherings, home dinners and banquets? The musical score?
- Fraud, murder, the portrait of a sociopath? Based on the actual character, his crimes and murder, his sentence?
- The structure of the story, the introduction to Mott, the flashbacks, his origins, pretences, moving to DC, ingratiating himself, the relationship with Elsa, the hostility with Amanda? Also urging him on, the foundation of the NGO, his boasting and promises, achievements – and lack? The range of twists?
- This is society, wealth, culture, political?
- Mott, his origins, name, Iraq, military service, rank, coming to Washington, his ambitions, perpetrating the fraud, at ease with lies and deception, charming manner, visualising his frauds? Yet rage underneath, his outbursts?
- Amanda, her concern about her mother, her mother announcing the engagement, Amanda and her hostility towards Mott, coming from Boston, her visits, a character, trying to protect her mother? The end, inheritance, legal issues?
- Elsa, her personality, her background in Germany, writer, journalist? Astute, yet deceived by Mott? Life, widow, relationship with Amanda? Meeting Mott, his ingratiating himself? Her dependence, the announcement of the engagement? The marriage, her continually urging Mott on, to further achievements, connections? Hosting dinners?
- Mott and his past, the Iraqi background, the claims, his rank, uniforms and medals? His work in DC, tours of the White House, his being ousted? Becoming the equivalent of a butler for Elsa?
- The political connections, discussions, the NGO, his entree to politicians, the former French president, the talk, persuasion, visits, the dinners?
- The NGO claims, the international connections, the war situations, the clash with Elsa, his leaving the house, his becoming the corresponded, the messages continually coming into Washington, his being on the frontline? Seen in his tent? And the expose that he was still in the country, the fake tent over the years?
- His assistant, the revelation of the sexual liaison, the man turning against him?
- The clashes with Elsa, temper, the staircase, her death? Mott and his claim that he was out walking? And his rendezvous with his lover, the clash?
- The lawyers, finding Mott impossible to deal with? Amanda and her interventions? Mott and his disappointment at what was left to him? Investigations into Elsa’s death, his going for the walk? The bringing of the case against him?
- The end information, the actual case and treatment?
