Disclosure (DVD)

...though few have remained consistent; Disclosure is a one constant in that time. There are a number of reasons why I enjoy Disclosure, and hopefully I'll explain them during the course of this review.

I stumbled upon the book Disclosure in 1993, at this point there were no plans to turn Michael Crichton's book to film, not that I knew of anyway. As I made my way through the book I remember thinking what a great movie it would make, ...
...six months after the announcement Disclosure hit the cinemas. What amazed me about Disclosure was that it was an exact copy of the book, issues of difference were minor, and all those things I felt impossible were included.

The magic of Disclosure lies in the technology to some level; there were a lot of hair brained ideas in the book and movie that seemed out of this world to some level, the things that seemed impossible then are ... more

Over the past 14 years I have had lots of "favourite" movies, though few have remained consistent; Disclosure is a one constant in that time. There are a number of reasons why I enjoy Disclosure, and hopefully I'll explain them during the course of this review.

I stumbled upon the book Disclosure in 1993, at this point there were no plans to turn Michael Crichton's book to film, not that I knew of anyway. As I made my way through the book I remember thinking what a great movie it would make, but how with all the technological movements that it would be hard to achieve. The book was the last book I read that kept my concentration, I was gripped; I called it my bath book. For three days I had 4 hour baths as I read the book and absorbed every word.

It was a month later that I was pleased to hear the news that the book was being turned into a movie. For several weeks there were casting updates with a variety of different names being touted for the leading roles until the announcement that Michael Douglas and Demi Moore were to take the roles. The casting pleased me with Douglas being a favourite of mine from Wall Street and Black Rain, I was less fussed about Demi Moore, but an attractive woman was needed so I could understand the standpoint here. The movie was completed as major speed, and six months after the announcement Disclosure hit the cinemas. What amazed me about Disclosure was that it was an exact copy of the book, issues of difference were minor, and all those things I felt impossible were included.

The magic of Disclosure lies in the technology to some level; there were a lot of hair brained ideas in the book and movie that seemed out of this world to some level, the things that seemed impossible then are excepted today as normal things, back in 94 though things were not as advanced. Disclosure portrays the Internet in a fashion that is not unlike the Internet we see today, though at the time the internet was barely more than a bulletin board system, it had been almost stagnant from 1985 to 1993. Disclosures business world is controlled by e-mail, again something that nobody except those at the top of the ladder had back then. Then there was online video conferencing, and levels of virtual reality worlds again all futuristic at the time. Disclosure was the first sign that we had awoken to a new generation where technology was king, back then the world of Disclosure was alien to all of us. Rather curiously some of the advances depicted in the movie have only just been achieved now.

Onto the main story and again this is something current now, but not so much then. Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas) is in line for a big job, a job most could only dream of. But on the day he expects to receive the job he discovers that he has been overlooked. Old flame Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore) is back in town and has swooped in and taken Tom's job from out of his very hands. But Meredith wants more, she wants Tom; but Tom is happily married with two children. Despite his objections Meredith will have Tom, whether he likes it or not. In Disclosure sexual harassment in the workplace gets an edgy new spin.

With a running time of over 2 hours, Disclosure is an incredibly well paced piece; at first the movie dazzles us with technology and a world of information (at that time) above most people's levels, but the movie takes its time to explain everything, an education if you like in a movie. Next the movie looks at the aspect of disappointment, before moving into the kill as Meredith demands that Tom satisfies her needs or "You are dead!" At this point a third of the movie has passed allowing the story to progress from this point naturally. There is a courtroom style battle, some table turning, and some revenge for one or the other party. All of these issues need expert hands to manage them effectively and who better than Barry Levinson the director of Rain Man and Good Morning Vietnam.

The plot takes a number of twists and turns, the conversation gets quite heated as Tom is forced to explain in detail the aspect of sexual harassment that he experienced at the hands of a powerful woman. While this sort of story was only too familiar from the aspect of a woman, Disclosure tackles it from another angle. There is another aspect that keeps this monster running, and that is a gigantic merger that is taking place just as the whole Meredith affair occurs; as power is passed from the company to Tom and back again Tom finds himself in a situation that many find themselves in, and it's that whole closing ranks situation, with Tom finding he has less friends than he thought.

The movie has this most unusual musical score by legendary Italian composer; this varies from the dramatic to the serene. The soundtrack is like a car crash between a TV movie and a block of commercials, yet somehow it works so incredibly well. From the totally unforgettable and quirky opening score, to the slow beating of a dramatic build up, the score is always memorable and you'll not find one aspect annoying. To highlight this technologically advanced movie, Morricone used technologically advanced instruments, musical instruments he had never worked with before, electrical distortions of the human voice and electro-harps as a starting point.

Of the cast Douglas performs admirably, he is totally believable as a man wronged, all the time you feel that he is right and remaining totally likeable for the movies duration. Moore on the other hand is a monster she does not appear out of her depth at any time, often the actress is criticised for her acting ability, and while she may fail in other movies there is no failure here. Caroline Goodall stars as Tom's suffering wife Susan, stood at his side but uncertain as to his true involvement in the movies events. But the true villain of the piece is Garvin played by Donald Sutherland, Garvin seems like the neutral soul of the movie, but in fact is the one playing the game with the highest stakes to lose, a man with everything to lose will stop at nothing to achieve what he wants. One thing about Sutherland is that he does bad so incredibly well, and this movie is no exception. I love a character who offers a handshake while delivering a punch, and I think this sums up Sutherlands role here to a T.

There is a wonderful moment when company boss Garvin (Donald Sutherland) makes a sexual advance to Tom as well, luckily this is just a dream, but it's one of those moments that even watching it makes you feel uncomfortable.

The movie stays consistent, if you enjoy a thriller with a real twist, and where nobody gets hurt through violence then Disclosure is one to watch. Unrelenting, moving, and addictive the movie seems as current now as it did 14 years ago. With an amazing false ending that 90 minutes in leads you to believe the game is over, it transpires things have only just begun.

Disclosure was one of the very first DVD's released after the millennium aimed as a budget title there are no special features, but a movie this good does not need anything to support it.

Spencer Hawken 03/08 

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