All the King's Men

Plot

Based on the Robert Penn Warren novel. The life of populist Southerner Willie Stark, a political creature loosely based on Governor Huey Long of Louisiana.

Release Year: 2006

Rating: 6.0/10 (14,336 voted)

Critic's Score: 37/100

Director:
Steven Zaillian

Stars: Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet

Storyline
In the 50's, in Louisiana, the smart populist, manipulative and wolf hick Willie Stark is elected governor with the support of the lower social classes. He joins a team composed of his bodyguard and friend Sugar Boy; the journalist from an aristocratic family Jack Burden; the lobbyist Tiny Duffy; and his mistress Sadie Burke, to face the opposition of the upper classes. When the influent Judge Irwin supports a group of politicians in their request of impeachment, Stark assigns Jack to find some dirtiness along the life of Irwin, leading to a tragedy in the end.

Writers: Steven Zaillian, Robert Penn Warren

Cast:

Sean Penn
–

Willie Stark

Jude Law
–

Jack Burden

Anthony Hopkins
–

Judge Irwin

Kate Winslet
–

Anne Stanton

Mark Ruffalo
–

Adam Stanton

Patricia Clarkson
–

Sadie Burke

James Gandolfini
–

Tiny Duffy

Jackie Earle Haley
–

Sugar Boy

Kathy Baker
–

Mrs. Burden

Talia Balsam
–

Lucy Stark

Travis Champagne
–

Tom Stark

(as Travis M. Champagne)

Frederic Forrest
–

Willie's Father

(as Frederic F. Forrest)

Paul Desmond
–

Slade

Kevin Dunn
–

Alex

Thomas McCarthy
–

Editor

(as Tom McCarthy)

Taglines:
Some people will do anything to gain power. Some will do anything to keep it.

Details

Official Website:
Gaumont Columbia Tristar [France] |
Sony Pictures [United States] |

Release Date: 22 September 2006

Filming Locations: Albania Plantation – 1842 LA 182 E., Jeanerette, Louisiana, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $55,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $3,672,366
(USA)
(24 September 2006)
(1514 Screens)

Gross: $7,221,458
(USA)
(15 October 2006)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

The film was a commercial failure, despite its strong cast, direction, and production team. Few critics endorsed it, despite garnering strong Oscar buzz before its initial opening.

Goofs:

Continuity:
The working grandfather clock (pendulum audible) stays fixed at 4:10 PM throughout a five minute scene.

Quotes:

[repeated line]

Willie Stark:
Nail 'em up!

User Review

Decide for yourself (I question the sincerity of IMDb votes to date)

Rating: 7/10


I saw this film at the New Orleans premiere and found it to be an
interesting spectacle that I largely enjoyed watching. I'm writing to
let the public know that the numbers look strange at this point
(September 17, 2006). Why? Nearly 20% of the votes have been in the 1-3
range (which would rate this film to be in the ranks of the worst low
budget films ever made). One voter has commented that he did not see
the film, but hates Sean Penn's politics so he won't see it and will
give the film a 1 just to spite Penn. At the same time, nearly half of
the votes give the film a perfect 10. I don't think that the polarized
ratings to date reflect careful attempts to rate the film. Perhaps
that's often the case with IMDb. I suggest taking them with a grain of
salt for the time being and deciding for yourself if you are interested
in the film.