Directed by
Peter Askin.
Starring
Joan Allen,
Brian Dennehy,
Paul Giamatti,
Nathan Lane,
Michael Douglas,
Dalton Trumbo.
A documentary adaptation of the popular regional theatrical monologue - in which such heavyweights as
Paul Newman,
Nathan Lane and
Joe Mantegna essayed the lead on various occasions - Trumbo recounts the life and times of legendary Hollywood scribe-turned-HUAC scapegoat
Dalton Trumbo. As with its source production, the film takes as its base material highly personal, detailed and emotive letters written by
Dalton Trumbo to his son Christopher; the latter, in turn, molded the missives into a screenplay for this production. Here, however, in lieu of one actor portraying Dalton, a number of celebrities take turns narrating from the script, including Lane,
Paul Giamatti,
Brian Dennehy,
Donald Sutherland and others. As a visual accompaniment, the film intercuts home movie footage from the Trumbos' lives, incisive interview material with Trumbo, his family, friends and collaborators; and haunting glimpses of the HUAC trial hearings with the Hollywood Ten, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy; as well as extracts from
The Sandpiper,
Johnny Got His Gun,
Spartacus and other productions authored by Trumbo. Peter Askin, who helmed the stage play, directs. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide