This Revolution (2004)

18% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(513 ratings)

Filmmaker and activist Stephen Marshall, creator of the video news magazine Channel Zero and founder of Guerilla News Network, blends fiction with reality in this feature, shot in part during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Jake (Nathan Crooker) is a television news cameraman who has… More Filmmaker and activist Stephen Marshall, creator of the video news magazine Channel Zero and founder of Guerilla News Network, blends fiction with reality in this feature, shot in part during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Jake (Nathan Crooker) is a television news cameraman who has returned to the United States after a long assignment covering the war in Iraq. Jake is looking for work, but he doesn't always play ball with upper-level network heads, much to the annoyance of his girlfriend, Chloe (Amy Redford), a producer for a major cable news outlet. Adding to his mixed feelings about his job, Jake learns through experience that violent footage is what sells best, and that network higher-ups have turned over tape he shot of war protests to the Department of Homeland Security, violating his trust with activists attached to an anarchist collective. While in New York City to cover the Republican convention, Jake befriends a young boy (Brendan Sexton III), and in time meets his mother, Amy (Rosario Dawson), a pretty young widow whose husband died while serving in Iraq. Inspired by Haskell Wexler's classic Medium Cool, This Revolution made headlines during its production when Rosario Dawson was arrested while attending a protest being filmed for the movie. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Stephen Marshall
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 24, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Jan 2, 2007

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
The fusion of fiction and independent journalism adds to the complexity of a story that exposes the 'news' as a narrative cowritten by the government and the TV networks.
Anita Gates, New York Times
Stephen Marshall's admirable but unfocused new film is set in New York City during the 2004 Republican National Convention.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Marshall says he was inspired by the Haskell Wexler cult classic Medium Cool, filmed at the infamous 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. He has a lot to learn before he'll be anywhere near Wexler.
Robert Koehler, Variety
As any revolutionary knows, there's a big leap between theory and practice, and that leap proves too much for tyro helmer Stephen Marshall's This Revolution.
James Greenberg, Hollywood Reporter
It's the kind of engaged, political filmmaking that is rarely seen today, and it's a welcome and powerful addition to the canon.
Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
Director Stephen Marshall is more activist than film theorist, prone to editorializing ('I'm certainly not going to sacrifice profits,' one journalist character sneers) without the equivalent of Wexler's formal rigor.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Its fiction tale is shrill, lifeless and uninteresting.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Marshall's ambitions are admirable, but he falls short when it comes to wrapping the message in credible, compelling drama.
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor
It's a pity that such vital, thought-provoking material has been rendered so lifeless and inauthentic on the screen.
Peter Hanson, Film Threat
The movie fails on nearly every level.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Yinalí R

Eh...
nefnie l

I found this film to be provocative and thought-provoking despite some radical conspiracy theories prevalent in the film. It is mainly set during the Republican National Convention in NY. It's definitely not cinematographically stunning, but the lack of finesse allows for a… More
I found this film to be provocative and thought-provoking despite some radical conspiracy theories prevalent in the film. It is mainly set during the Republican National Convention in NY. It's definitely not cinematographically stunning, but the lack of finesse allows for a realness of the film. In fact, some of the scenes were taken of actual events that occured; including Rosario Dawson's arrest. A strong movie with strong views.