An Acceptable Loss Movie Download

8 / 10

The Uses and Abuses of Power
“An Acceptable Loss” (a.k.a., “The Pages”) was a first-rate drama in the tradition as such political thrillers as “Three Days of the Condor.” In the character of Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Lamb, there was a strong protagonist: a patriot and dedicated civil servant with a conscience.

The filmmakers were skillful in developing suspense around Dr. Lamm, a former national security advisor and now a university professor. The screenplay carefully unfolds what happened to make Dr. Lamm a controversial figure.

The acting was first rate with a terrific performance by Tika Sumpter, who genuinely conveyed the essential emotion of guilt in hindsight of her political actions leading to the use of a nuclear bomb in the Middle East. The other characters were also fully embodied by the actors. Even a secondary role such as Henry’s roommate Jordan was essential to the plot, and the payoff for Jordan’s character came at the end.

The screenwriting included some good research on the military theory of Clausewitz, who famously warned of the danger in war that “mistakes come from kindness.” The uses of modern technology were also on display in the film with the clever tactics of Martin in finding a way to enter Dr. Lamm’s home as a safecracker, as well as the devious tracking devices used by his tormentors.

While the premise of “total” victory in war in the modern era seemed strained at times, such as the comparison with William T. Sherman’s tactics during the Civil War, the film was successful in evoking the catastrophic consequences of the excessive pursuit of power. For characters such as Adrian, the former colleague and lover of Dr. Lamm, there was the motivation to stop at nothing to maintain power against the threat of free speech. The avoidance of that outcome is an essential lesson for today.Read More