REVIEW: ‘Manifesto’ serves as heady trip with Cate Blanchett in 13 roles
Manifesto may be a masterpiece. Or not.
The new film starring Cate Blanchett in 13 roles explores the many thoughts and theories behind academic, artistic and economic movements, including Communism, Dadaism and Futurism, among others. Most of the film revolves around a particular Blanchett creation reciting a manifesto of how the world, power and art should be interpreted.
For everyday moviegoers who like their cine-fare a little more La La Land-ish, Manifesto will be a trying experience because it takes a trained ear to follow along with the arguments and proposals. For moviegoers who appreciate a risk-taking actress and unconventional director (Julian Rosefeldt), there’s a lot to appreciate in these 95 minutes.
Of the many characters that Blanchett brings to life, a few stick out above the rest. There’s one sequence in which she plays a woman setting the table for dinner with her family. During the customary time to say grace, she begins a complex monologue about art, much to the chagrin of her children and husband.
Another sequence finds Blanchett playing a homeless man living atop a nondescript apartment building, shouting at the world and raging about art.
The scenes bleed seamlessly into one another. No other actor receives much screen time — certainly no dialogue. This is an all-Blanchett show, and she pulls off the portrayals with seeming ease.
She is a master of accents, much like Meryl Streep, and yet never crosses the line into caricature land. She embodies each and every role with a sense of authenticity (a high virtue, according to a schoolteacher character she plays). Even though her dialogue is manifesto in nature, she somehow brings it down to a level that rolls off the tongue in different settings. Sometimes she’s shouting at the sky. Another time she’s giving an anchor’s report on a TV news program. Another time she’s giving a thank-you address at a dinner party.
Rosefeldt has the action play in a naturalistic manner, as if Blanchett is geared up to impart some actual movie dialogue. Instead, the script consists of these recitations on Minimalism, Surrealism and so many other artistic movements.
Manifesto doesn’t work 100 percent of the time. Even at only 95 minutes, the experiment feels a bit too long, and the 13 roles could have been cut down. A few of the characters are so interesting and engaging that the audience might want to spend some more time with them and less time with the others. One of the strongest is a school teacher who offers a lesson to her students on the difference between originality and authenticity.
Manifesto, which is currently playing an extended run at New York City’s Film Forum and other theaters, is an academic treat for the tried-and-true cinephile. For others, this is art-house fare that may be too easily dismissed as head-scratching drivel. It’s not, but it can certainly be perceived as such.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Manifesto (2017), directed by Julian Rosefeldt, stars Cate Blanchett and runs 95 minutes. The film is currently playing New York City’s Film Forum. Click here for more information. Rating: 
