Grand Wizard

Author(s): Dpac
Location: Appleton

“Grand Wizard”



Directed by Ridley Scott
Produced by David Franzoni and Branko Lustig
Written by David Franzoni
Cinematography by John Mathieson
Editing by Pietro Scalia
Art Direction by Andrew Stearn
Music by Rachel Portman

Principal Cast:

Jeremy Irons as Nathan Bedford Forrest
Casey Affleck as William Montgomery Forrest
Liam Neeson as J.S. White
Donald Sutherland as Braxton Bragg
Bernard Hill as William Tecumseh Sherman
Oliver Platt as Samuel D. Sturgis
Bill Nighy as John Bell Hood
Cilfton Collins Jr. as James H. Wilson

with

Kathy Bates
Jeremy Davies
Djimon Honsou

and

Bebe Neuwirth

Tagline: “The battles. The wars. His legacy...”

Synopsis: It's 1908. A man who goes by the name William Montgomery Forrest has a premonition of his death and begins to write a list of everything he's thankful to God for, before he dies. His life, his titles, his wife, his children, his success, his home and other luxuries and his dad's legacy....

Recollecting life as a young boy, he remembers his dad, Nathan Bedford Forrest, telling him how he had become the head of the family at the young age of 17. Knowing his father supported slave trade, William , named after his grand father,remembers his father's determination to learn and become an exemplary officer. William remembers bidding farewell to his father while he departed to participate in the Battle of Fort Donelson, where he first distinguished himself. Earning himself a promotion after several more battles just marked the beginning of his beloved father's colorful career.

Even when he had untrained men, he was successful in his battles. But, William remembered how there was one battle that caused widespread controversy when Forrest took command in - The Battle of Fort Pillow, in which, it was said that, Forrest'stroop aimed only for the African Americans. But never did anyone find fault in Forrest, although they tried.

His last and greatest victory came at Battle of Brice's Crossroads. "I was a horse ahead at the end," he said. Remembering these words, William also recalled how they were financially ruined after slavery was banned. William remembers the three letters that African Americans and Southern Republicans shuddered at - KKK that stood for Ku Klux Klan. He recalled how his father and mother used to fight over his leadership there and the injustice he did to black men, women and children. Nonetheless, he became the Grand wizard of the KKK and had more than 550,000 men at his command. But then, Forrest had a change of heart and demand the disbanding of the KKK and distanced himself from it, because of their increasingly violent tactics. Willaim recalls his pain during his his father's death due to diabetes and doesn't forget how his legacy lives on even after he is long gone....

This movie takes us deep into the life of a great and able officer who fought with dignity and brought variety into the word 'war'. But at the same time, a comprehensive look into the life of a great father, whose children were proud to be called his sons and daughters. And that man is Nathan Bedford Forrest.

What the press would say:

The greatest revolutionary leader. The greatest military genius. The best gifted artist in military art, if there be any such art. Nathan Bedford Forrest was a name that sent resonating feelings of fear and respect to everyone who heard it. Such was his reputation as a warrior, a commander and also, a father. The movie starts of long after Forrest's death. William, his son is dying and he takes us back into the life of his incomparable father. It starts off with Forrest as a young boy goesuntil his death. It gives us a comprehensive look on his exploits and his never-fleeting legacy from the eyes of his son, whohad witnessed it all.

The acclaimed director Ridley Scott takes you into the life of this man who ate, slept and breathed war, which is evident from the opening line of the movie, 'War means fighting and fighting means killing.' The script penned by David Franzoni is almost perfect. The lead role of this great man was given to Oscar Winner Jeremy Irons. And all the Oscar buzz around his performance has just paid off. His performance is everything it is said to be. His performance is superb in every sense of the word. There's never any question about the authenticity of his character. He did not act as Forrest, he became Forrest.Irons imparts every facet of Nathan Forrest's personality with clarity and feeling. Although the supporting roles are a little less than short, there are a few exceptional ones. Clifton Collin's Jr.'s performance is one of them. Albeit short, his performance is the best supporting performance this year. His role as the Union Army general, James H. Wilson who repulsed the attack by Forrest's men, was physically taxxing and Collins makes it look
easy. James repulsion of the attack created a rivalry between him and Forrest by which he put his family's and his life in jeopardy. James was a emotionally damaged because of the mind games Forrest played with him and his family. Cilfton doesn't strike a false note in his short performance. He has to be handed the Oscar.And if the card of screen time is thrown against him, then see Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love. Casey Affleck plays William, Forrest's son who is the narrator of this biopic. Whenever he is on screen, he captures the spotlight like Gloria Stuart did in Titanic. He plays thedying William brilliantly. And last but not the least, Bebe Neuwirth. Preparing for her role wasn't easy, as there is not much record of Forrest's wife. But still she plays this character who is deeply distressed in secrecy by her husband's methods and actions. Although,she shines in every scene, her best scenes are when she confronts and fights with Forrest. She has to be nominated for the Oscar and better win too. The cinematography, the art direction and costume design are also worthy of mention.

To conclude, Grand Wizard will be considered one of the best biopics ever. It is dramatic, descriptive, detailed, reflective, enthusiastic, heroic and in all, a beautiful film.

Possible Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor - Jeremy Irons
Best Supporting Actress - Bebe Neuwirth
Best Supporting Actor - Casey Affleck
Best Supporting Actor - Clifton Collins Jr.
Best Orginal Score
and various other technical Awards