The youth vote, deemed by many as a key factor in the upcoming presidential election, is expected to increase exponentially on Nov. 4. Representatives of the media claim this millenial generation is becoming aware of their political climate and demonstrating responsibility as national and world citizens at unprecedented new levels.
Despite this increase in activism, youth seem to have lost the desire to work outside the government for political change in America since Sept. 11, and critics denounce their desire as unrealistic idealism or a parasite to political change.
Battle in Seattle,"" revolves around the 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting protests in Seattle. Directed by Stuart Townsend, ""Seattle"" portrays the WTO as an authoritative world government that values the interests of the few at the expense of the many. A breath of fresh air, it documents the cooperation of labor organizations, activist groups, radical leftists and ordinary citizens, using direct action to smudge the agenda of the 1999 WTO conference.
In his directorial debut, Townsend stays true to the real-life events, while inserting character portraits loosely based on those involved in the protests. This combination of history and pathos is done exceptionally well.
After a memorable opening scene, the movie follows the three-day protest's clash with an under-prepared and overreacting police force that brings Seattle into near-martial law as delegates from around the world try to salvage the crumbling WTO talks.
Martin Henderson and André Benjamin pull off convincing performances as two of the main protest organizers, Jay and Django, respectively. Jay provides the film's emotional fulcrum, while Django alternates between idealistic and light-hearted. Michelle Rodriguez, meanwhile, plays Lou, a spunky tag-along to the protest gang who starts to feel for the group's struggle as the movie progresses.
Other major roles include the mayor of Seattle Jim Tobin(Ray Liotta) whose desire to appear liberal betrays him as he leaves the city poorly prepared for the conflict between protesters and police. Woody Harrelson, meanwhile, plays a Seattle police officer juggling the commitments of his job and family. His performance effectively conveys the moral struggle of a man who unknowingly does the work of an authoritative power.
Finally, Charlize Theron also delivers an exceptional performance as Ella, a TV journalist who finds herself pulled into the turmoil. Unlike the protesters, these characters are initially unaware of the politics behind the protests and each is eventually forced to use his or her moral sense to judge the conflict.
One of the film's problems is its tendency to indulge in side plots, wasting time developing minor characters when it could spend more time focusing on the main characters and getting audiences to empathize better with their personal struggles.
Despite its downfalls, ""Battle in Seattle"" cannot be judged only for its aesthetic merit. It's message - that most political problems can only be solved outside the system through active efforts by conscientious people - is too important to ignore.
Grade: BC
