Trumbo (HBO)

About Trumbo (HBO)

Released in 2015, "Trumbo" reveals the account of Dalton Trumbo's life. Dalton, one of Hollywood’s top screenwriters, had his career come to a screeching halt when he and other artists were blacklisted for their political beliefs. Trumbo (played by Bryan Cranston) faces prison and struggles to win back his rightful place in Hollywood. The movie is a heroic tale of a man's fight against the U.S. government and studio bosses during the era of McCarthyism and the Hollywood blacklist era.

Making / Production

"Trumbo" was distributed by Bleecker Street, directed by Jay Roach, and written by John McNamara. The essential production involves Michael London as the producer, and the cinematography is handled by Jim Denault. The movie was prepared on a budget of $15 million.

Actors

• Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo: Known for bringing depth and believability to his characters, Cranston is compelling as Dalton Trumbo, fully embracing the spirit of the character.
• Diane Lane as Cleo Trumbo: Playing Trumbo's supportive and understanding wife, Lane extends her skills brilliantly to portray a woman navigating through trying times.
• Helen Mirren as Hedda Hopper: Mirren proves her versatility again, playing the role of a biased gossip columnist with conviction.
• Louis C.K. as Arlen Hird: Louis brings a certain level of humor and slight sadness to his role as one of Trumbo’s friends and associates.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Dalton Trumbo was a real-life screenwriter who wrote many acclaimed works while blacklisted, including "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
• John Goodman plays Frank King, a real-life film producer who hired blacklisted writers.

Awards

Bryan Cranston was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. Furthermore, the film won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, affirming the robust acting excellence that Cranston exhibited.

Quotes

• "I've got a clause in my contract says if I'm writing, I gotta have a bowl of M&M's... WHY?" (John Goodman as Frank King)
• "I don't think you and me are gonna be pal." (Helen Mirren as Hedda Hopper)

Music, Soundtrack

• The film score for "Trumbo" was provided by Theodore Shapiro, known for his often light-hearted and ironic music style which suits the movie’s script perfectly.
• Songs from the era, including selections from Duke Ellington, are used to provide an authentic backdrop to the film's period setting.