The 52 In 52 Part 8: Imperium



Welcome one and all to the 8th part in my blog series, The 52 In 52. The concept is simple each week I watch and write about one film in my collection of DVDs and Blu Rays that I have never watched. Before you read on check out last weeks entry on the fantastic Bad Times At The El Royale.

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This week I will be writing about the incredible, Imperium. Released in 2016, Imperium was co written and directed by Daniel Ragussis and was based on a script by Michael German, a former FBI agent who helped infiltrate white supremacists and right wing groups who went on to write about his experiences. Imperium stars Daniel Radcliffe as Nate Foster, a quiet FBI agent who helps uncover terrorist plots. Foster is recruited by Angela Zamparo (Toni Collette) to infiltrate a group of white supremacists and goes into deep cover. He encounters and is recruited by a group of skinheads who introduce him to the world of far right politics and the charismatic talk show host Dallas Wolf (Tracy Letts). As the drama unfolds Foster finds himself getting in deeper with dangerous people.

I was pleasantly surprised by Imperium. I remember when I first bought the film on Blu Ray after watching the trailer and I just couldn't find the time to watch it. I found Imperium really engaging from the minute it began. Daniel Radcliffe has done his best to portray characters that are a departure from his work on Harry Potter and Nate Foster is no different. He embodies the role of a white supremacist from the minute he shaves his head and is a voice of reason to the hot headed crowd he is recruited by. He really separates the two versions of the character well showing heart and compassion as the FBI agent and constructive anger and determination as the world weary former marine he is portraying. Toni Collette is a great addition as Fosters mentor and colleague, encouraging and supportive to Nate in a really difficult situation that she feels responsible for. Tracy Letts is fantastic as the right wing talk show host Dallas Wolf, really oozing smarmy charm every time he is on screen, I would have loved to have seen more from his character.

I loved the way in which Daniel Ragussis used imagery and footage of actual far right and white supremacist groups and texts throughout the film and I felt that it added a great depth and really pulled all of the story together. I also found the use of Wolf's voice over and clips of his show that were used throughout the narrative were really well done and not over used. I felt that the score, at times, was a little over powering. Whilst I appreciate that it was being used to build tension I felt it was drowning out the dialogue at times.

I loved the final act of the film, however I felt it was all a little too quick. I was loving the build to what could have been a serious incident but, felt that it could have been fleshed out more. I did like the misdirect that the story gave with the assumptions of the type of people Foster was meeting and what role they play in the far right movement.

Overall Imperium is a great story told in an engaging way. Daniel Radcliffe is fantastic and I could happily say that Imperium is one of his best roles to date. Toni Collette provides a great supporting role as Fosters mentor. Imperium is well worth a watch and I would happily watch it again.

Thanks for reading and look out for the next entry in The 52 In 52 next Thursday.

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