As the famous/notorious Edward Snowden, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is quietly compelling (even though he adopts the flat delivery of Keanu Reeves). This biopic alternates between his covert meetings with the reporters who released the NSA documents and the career events that lead up to it. The details are interesting, but his relationship with his girlfriend (Shailene Woodley) drags on the momentum. Sure, the paranoia message is requisite, but director Oliver Stone let it become too didactic and too constant. As a result, the basic story is still fascinating and well told, but it’s power is diluted by the film’s 134 minute length.
(3.5 / 5)