Releasing a film about something so current and contentious is a very bold move. Reality has a story that may be more powerful than the film itself, but strong acting brings it over the finish line.
★★★✰✰
In 2017, the truth caught up with NSA (National Security Agency) worker Reality Winner (Sydney Sweeney) as she was met on her own front lawn by the FBI. Amidst an already controversial 2016 presidential election race, Winner’s work to expose the fraudulent forces at play stirred up a media storm, with her at the heart of it. Tina Satter is behind the 2019 play Is This a Room and has directed Reality too, basing it off of that stage production.
Perhaps the most enthralling factor of this film—what makes it stand out—is the perspective. The dialogue is taken from the official FBI recordings of the interactions between Winner, Special Agent Garrick (Josh Hamilton) and Special Agent Taylor (Marchant Davis). Her life unravels in front of our very eyes as the reach of her actions dawns on her through these conversations.
The aforementioned perspective brings that brand new feeling to the table. It feels like a completely authentic and original watching experience, due entirely to the dialogue. At times, we are taken away from the action to instead see the transcripts in question, which make it all the more real. Deeper than this, the titular character is regularly the on-screen focus, regardless of who is talking, which really centres her in the film and brings her experiences to the fore.
On to the actual story at hand: it is truly gripping. In the early stages, the conversational nature of this film seems puzzling. But, once it starts to become more settled, the true events of a potential whistle-blower completely take over. Tension builds as the characters evolve and we learn about Reality’s job and decisions—these emotions are well displayed by the FBI double act and Sydney Sweeney too, even though the setting remains the same. That being said, as previously mentioned, the story itself is a more enticing factor than how it is executed in the film; it isn’t always easy to remain engaged with the format. From this comes the idea that this story is better suited to life on the stage.
One thing that adds to the edge-of-your-seat nature of Reality is Nathan Micay’s music. The way in which it rises and falls with each development in the conversation between the key trio consolidates the sense of trepidation. Meanwhile, particularly important details are literally bleeped out, leaving us in the dark about the gritty reality of Winner’s supposed offences. Questions arise in the viewer’s head with every instance of this.
The film concludes with a quote from Reality Leigh Winner on the screen: “I knew it was secret. But I also knew I had pledged service to the American people.” This is a really powerful message at the heart of the film—with her having been in the Air Force, her actions and words are now more understandable. The importance of the freedom of information is never more apparent than right here, in this instance.
The Verdict
Reality tells a fascinating story—one that needs to be told to everyone not only in the U.S, but across the world. The play may be the better choice to get the best experience, as the structure suits the stage better, but it is certainly an engaging watch nonetheless.
Words by Jamie Rooke
Reality released in UK cinemas on June 2nd
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