The Current War
The Current War

The Current War

2018Movie108 minEnglish

Electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse compete to create a sustainable system and market it to the American people.

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Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes51%
Metacritic52/100
Google Users65%
Director: Alfonso Gomez-RejonGenres: Biography, Drama, History

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the intense rivalry between electrical titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse in the late 19th century. As they race to power America, their opposing direct current and alternating current systems spark a battle of innovation, public opinion, and financial stakes. The narrative highlights their personal and professional clashes, as well as the contributions of Nikola Tesla to Westinghouse's side.

Critical Reception

The Current War received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of the lead actors, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison. However, the film was often criticized for its pacing and a perceived lack of depth in exploring the scientific and historical complexities of the war of currents. Audiences generally had a similar divided reaction.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for strong lead performances, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch.
  • Criticized for a conventional and sometimes rushed narrative structure.
  • Felt to be a missed opportunity to fully explore the historical and scientific significance of the events.

Google audience: Google users found the film to be an interesting, albeit somewhat dramatized, look at a pivotal moment in technological history. Many appreciated the historical context and the compelling performances. However, some viewers felt the story could have delved deeper into the technical aspects and the broader societal impact of the electricity war.

Fun Fact

The film had a troubled production history, with director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon initially leaving the project before returning to re-edit the film for its eventual limited release.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is a decent, if ponderous, piece of cinema entertainment featuring some A-list talent depicting an almost entirely fictional account of the battle to establish the standard of electrical current we all use today. Tesla is largely ignor...
SWITCH.

SWITCH.

In another case of “when bad movies happen to great actors“, 'The Current War' has all the elements for a great picture including its exceptional cast, but lacks the base appeal for the people who have to buy a ticket. Sadly, this is a rare...
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

_**Well acted and reasonably engaging, although there's a significant disconnect between form and content**_ >_The electric-lighting company with which I am connected purchased some time ago the patents for a complete alternating system,...