A Tranquil Domain

Author(s): Justin
Location: New York

“A Tranquil Domain”

Directed by Paul Haggis
Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
Music by Christopher Young

Genre: Drama

Principal Cast:

Albert Finney (Secretary of State Richard Jackson)
Dougray Scott (Wing Commander Jeffrey Castle)
Michelle Pfieffer (Linda Castle)
Carrie-Ann Moss (Serena Parker)
Gregory Smith (Maddock Parker)
John Heard (The President)
Evan Rachel Wood (Jessica)
Alexa Gerasimovich (Allison)

Tagline: "There are some wars that can't be fought''

Synopsis: The film, which is not entirely based on current events, talks about three characters in the advent of war.

In late 2007, a chain of civil mass protests in Washington finally leads the U.S. Secretary of State to draft a policy, withdrawing peace-keeping forces from an escalating war in the Hezbollah region, Lebanon. Noted as one of the most powerful and controversial secretaries of state in U.S. history, Richard Jackson (Finney) is being asked by the president, his colleague and a good friend, to resign for retirement purposes. Behind the gates of the White House, however, Jackson is known to be a fierce advocate of the war in Lebanon (even at the expense of the lives lost in war), and refuses to execute the withdrawal policy. Just as he battles with terminal cancer, Jackson stubbornly refuses to step down, stirring controversy and chaos in the White House, until the president forces him to relinquish his position.

One of the fleets who were able to withdraw carried Wing Commander Jeffrey Castle (Scott), who has just been promoted as he returned to a troubled marriage with Linda (Pfieffer) and their daughter Allison (Gerasimovich). When she breaks the news that she had an affair while he was gone, Jeffrey is devastated and unsure of whether to go back to Lebanon, or to not accept the position he had been promoted to. They don't decide to divorce, but Jeffrey asks to be reassigned to another country for a while.

Maddock Parker (Smith) had just graduated from college as an architect, and his single mom, Serena (Moss) is thrilled and proud of him. His life is perfect; he has an invitation to work in a prestigious architectural firm, and he has a girlfriend (Wood) who just adores him. An idealist, Maddock decides to enrol in the army, and Serena just cannot accept losing her only child, and another member of her family. She does not have the courage to face what her son has chosen for himself, and drives off to think until she can learn to let go.

What the press would say:

At first glance, "A Tranquil Domain" seems like a typical ensemble drama. However, the film beautifully portrays the theme of battle and acceptance in the midst of war – physical war, and inner war. The cinematography is excellent, and the music sets the mood for the rest of the story. This will probably be Finney’s role of his career, his portrayal of a stubborn and broken high official is one to remember. Scott takes on a more title role as compared to his previous films. Pfieffer makes a comeback with a stellar performance as the philandering wife trying to make amends, and Moss is amazing as the conservative single mother. Young actor Smith also does well, and can be remembered for a pivotal scene with his character’s mother. The story is original, and an early campaign is gunning for these nods:

Best Picture
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Actor: Albert Finney
Best Actress: Carrie-Ann Moss
Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Pfieffer
Best Supporting Actor: Gregory Smith