Set in the modern day United States, A House of Dynamite follows high ranking military, intelligence and government officials as they face off against, potentially, the gravest threat of modern times, a direct nuclear attack to the centre of the continental United States.
With an 18 minute long window, the military must locate the region of launch, identify the enemy, terminate the threat, decide on an appropriate level of response and should all else fail, set in motion a plan of evacuation. The film is essentially split in to three sections in which the viewer is shown the perspectives of the different levels of the response chain. It would be fair to assume with this plot that the film would provide a high level of action that keeps the blood flowing and the adrenaline pumping. You are mistaken. The film takes a very different approach and instead keeps the viewers attention by perhaps the greatest blue balling I have experienced for years. The viewer is thrown in to a situation in which a nuclear warhead has been launched by an unidentified enemy, with unknown intentions and no idea what triggered such a situation. This remains the premise of the story throughout with little extra information provided throughout.
The star studded cast features, but not limited to, Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Jared Harris & Anthony Ramos, who as a whole and individually give a fantastic performance in which makes the viewer feel fear, uncertainty and sadness. The story is the process and not the people. Each of their stories are vastly different but not extraordinary and what would be expected of the typical person in their role, further immersing the viewer in the believability of the situation.
The set design can only be commended. Perhaps the greatest gripe I have with films like this is the unrealistic computer graphics used to depict defence and government systems, but I felt satisfied with the the visuals. The sets themselves were immersive and believable and added realism and immersion to the viewing experience. Costume design was done perfectly, in which it was easy to identify the role of a character and adds the the characters believability.
The reality is that if you go in watching this film with the belief and hopes you are about to watch a typical run and gun action drama in which the United States prevails, you will be disappointed. If you go in thinking there will be a clear plot, you will be disappointed. If you go in thinking you will get any answers to the questions you develop through out, you will be disappointed. If you think you will get a conclusive ending, guess what? You will be disappointed. In truth you will be riddled with questions not just about the main plot but the characters too. When the film concluded I shouted “are you f***king kidding me!”. I had not been this invested in a very long time, and I loved it.
The film is an experience, not a story. It aims to demonstrate the modern day threat of nuclear weapons and their proliferation. It provides a stark reminder that while they can act as a deterrent and we have systems in place to neutralise them, they still pose a very real and serious threat and the window in which we have to deal with such a situation, in reality is minimal. It strikes fear at the heart of your morals, and it achieves this fantastically. The film is a true piece of art and Kathryn Bigelow, Noah Oppenheim and the cast executed it phenomenally.
