Film not Oscar-caliber, but comically insightful, relevant
What do you get when you add political waywardness, media manipulation and a good serving of "grab 'em by the throat" news? You get the media satire The Second Civil War, a dark comedy that touches on many socio-political and media culture issues relevant to today's society. Looking into his crystal ball, writer Martyn Burke teams up with director Joe Dante to portray a mismanaged and sensationalist America set some time in the future. With an ensemble cast that includes Beau Bridges, Phil Hartman, James Earl Jones, Elizabeth Peña, and Dennis Leary, the movie does not disappoint.
The film is seen through the lens of a CNN-like fictional cable news organization, News Net, which creates a media field day from a story beginning with Pakistani orphans seeking refuge in Idaho after their country is devastated by a nuclear attack. The only problem is that the anti-immigration Governor of Idaho, Jim Farley (Bridges), refuses to take in the orphans, taking this a step further by closing his borders to the rest of the country. Back at the state capital, the wide-eyed and naïve president (Hartman) depends on impractical advisors to tell him what to do in this difficult situation, and eventually decides to forcefully open Idaho’s borders through military action. However, Idaho won’t go down without a fight, militarily enlisting neighboring fellow anti-immigration states like South Carolina to help their cause; and just like that, the country is on the brink of a “second civil war.” In the middle of all this absurdity, the Governor is involved in a love-affair gone awry with News Net reporter Christina Fernandez (Peña), apparently more concerned about her than the potential devastation occurring in his back yard. Not only does News Net capitalize on this “prime time” conflict, as it could serve as a potential ratings booster in the face of intense media competition, the conflict is escalated even further as a result of the channel’s miscommunication and mismanagement. The movie is narrated by Jim Kalla (Jones), a veteran News Net reporter who laments on the days when news “came to us slower,” giving one time to absorb what one was watching on TV, unlike now where live, up-to-the-minute and sensational “on the scene” news takes center stage.
Media priorities are intermixed with political and personal priorities in the movie, as News Net, from the beginning of the conflict, constantly strive to over-dramatize and sensationalize every situation. For instance, producer Alan Manieski (Ron Pearlman) tries to capitalize on the refugee crisis by adding special effects to his news coverage, such as putting “violins over the orphans.” Thus, the audience can be rest assured that the story will be a dramatic “tear jerker,” keeping them tuned in and bringing in big ratings. The core of the story may be lost over all the special effects, but as Dante clearly and cynically shows, Manieski is more concerned about ratings than anything else. This is an obvious but very accurate portrayal of cable news producers that will use any dramatic and extravagant means at their disposal to garner more money and fame.
Dante also shows us how media has the power to misinform and misconstrue, which could potentially lead to catastrophic situations. For instance, Governor Farley informs a reporter that he has decided to step down and run off with Fernandez. The reporter misinterprets Governor Farley’s declaration to have someone “succeed” him from office as “secede.” Once the white house gets word of this supposed threat of revolt, an all out attack on Idaho results, even though this could have been avoided with better communication. This is another obvious stab at media incompetence, but nonetheless funny and true.
Hartman’s role as the American President is priceless; a much needed breath of fresh air from the overbearingly dark humor of much of the movie. A hilarious scene involves the President giving Idaho 67 and ½ hours, as opposed to an earlier deadline of 72 hours, to open their borders before he declares war; in order to avoid interrupting a special episode of “All My Children.” As his fellow soap-opera loving advisor’s point out, the last time he interrupted the show, he lost the women’s vote. This scene not only show’s where the President’s political priorities are, but also shows how entertainment and Hollywood take’s a front seat over more pressing and serious political issues.
Dante’s accurate portrayal of media sensationalism and immediacy is seen when News Net reporters travel to the Idaho battlefield, capturing all the action and violence live on camera. At one point, a reporter even gets shot and killed, but war coverage basically continues as if nothing happened. There is no time for emotion in the chase for the best and biggest story, as news anchorman Mel Burgess (Dan Hedaya) sums up: “Stop with the college debate, will you? We're news, emotions happen outside!”
The whole situation with the stumbling reporters in an Idaho battlefield seems almost surreal, but the media will go to any lengths for ratings, influence and prowess over competitors. These scenes are almost as poignant as they are funny, because in the real world, reporters constantly travel to the front lines, sometimes unnecessarily jeopardizing their lives. Furthermore, the very notion by senior colleagues that Leary’s character Vinnie Franko may be replaced by a “young CNN reporter” motivates him to continue reporting amidst the craziness, inasmuch as he doesn’t want to be upstaged by a rookie. Competition is the name of the game in the media business, and Dante effectively portrays this. Franko is also depicted as delirious, misconstruing John Wayne movies for reality, amidst the surreal environment in which he reports. “John Wayne would have gotten us out of Vietnam in a week,” he retorts. This is a subtle but effective comment on the heavy influence of Hollywood heroes and media on our real world perceptions.
Unfortunately, Dante portrays America’s future diversity as one shrouded with chaos and mayhem, a somewhat overly negative outlook. However, his point is clear: In this future scenario, the country is split into ethnic lines, as various sides squabble over somewhat trivial issues. Our only solace is prime time, high octane entertainment – oh pardon me, I mean news. Dante emphasizes that the news is defined by trend and sensationalism, intertwined in the same trendy and sensationalist socio-political public sphere we call our society. This, I believe, is the main point of Dante’s movie. Is he successful at making this point? Yes. Could he have made this point in a less obvious and more subtle way? Yes. Thus, is the movie boring? No; far from it.
If you are a fan of dark humor, satire and a good laugh, then The Second Civil War is a must see. Like News Net, it is made for cable, not the big screen. It won’t win major awards for breakthrough acting any time soon, but it will keep you thinking. You won’t fall out of your seat laughing but you will come out of the theater saying; “Wow, this movie really told the truth.” Let the truth be told, I always say; let the truth be told.
