Dalton Trumbo: A Real-Life Hollywood Hero

By Stacy Zakalik, JBFC Marketing Intern

Trumbo, opening at the Burns on Wednesday, November 25, is a biopic directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) and starring Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) as the titular character, Dalton Trumbo, who finds himself blacklisted as a Communist by the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1940s.

Dalton Trumbo was a famous Hollywood screenwriter who wrote some of the most well-known films of all time, including Roman Holiday and Spartacus. Trumbo was on top of the world in the late 1930s to the early 1940s–he had a great family and was one of the most sought-after screenwriters working in Hollywood at the time. This would all come crashing down when he refused to cooperate with the government after being accused of having Communist ties.

For more information on the real Dalton Trumbo, check out this video:

Bryan Cranston, as usual, gives an incredible performance, fully inhabiting Dalton Trumbo and adding his own personality and quirks to the character. Supporting Cranston is a cast of fantastic actors, including John Goodman as a sublimely funny industry member; Louis C.K. as the trusty sidekick; Diane Lane as the devoted wife; Elle Fanning as Trumbo’s inquisitive daughter; and, best of all, Helen Mirren as the icy gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.

The film is a fun but moving portrait of Trumbo, with Cranston happily fleshing out the little nuances of the man, from his strange screenwriting habits to his addiction to whiskey and cigarettes. Cranston’s performance is Oscar-worthy and will transform him from a TV star to a Hollywood leading man. The supporting cast, who play a mix of fictional and real-life people, fill out the movie nicely, with Mirren’s Hedda Hopper as a highlight.

In the end, this movie is deeply personal. Trumbo’s blacklisting ends up affecting his family, friends, and career. How will he cope with this? You’ll just have to see the movie to find out! Tickets are on sale now!