The Current War: Director's Cut

Fuelled by impressive performances from a sensational cast, The Current War is a sturdy, well-paced historical drama. The production values - its set design, cinematography, costumes - are particularly winsome.

It's a dizzying menu, aimed at eliminating any hint of fustiness and show that this is a story as modern as the rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. And I suppose it is. But it's also absorbing enough not to need any artificial means of support.

This is an interesting, well-filmed historical drama about a technological showdown that produced something we now all take for granted, as Edison predicted we would

Despite a top-notch cast always worth watching, for a drama with war in its title, there's a lot of smoke and minimal fire.

Ultimately, the film sheds light on a fascinating episode in American history; it falls short, however, of being really electric.

What I think really makes this film special is that it gives more of a role to Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse and talking about the financial risks that both of these men were taking. It kind of sets up the world we see today.

An electric battle of wits with a script that offers only a surface level, uneven treatment of its three subjects.

An illuminating tale in need of more direct (narrative) current.

In a world of staid biopics ... I'm pleasantly surprised that The Current War is an electric film (pun intended).

This movie is very low energy, unfortunately.... It's interesting but there is no inherent conflict.