As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for satire and a heart heavy with the weight of current political climates, I find myself deeply captivated by “The Oath.” Having lived through the tumultuous times that birthed this dark comedy, I can’t help but see myself and my fellow Americans reflected in its twisted mirror.
The holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving, can be a challenging time, especially with family members holding different political views, and this year might prove even more difficult due to the intensity of the recent election. After months of intense political debates, the atmosphere can become tense as one side deals with defeat while the other exudes triumphant arrogance. This is certainly not an ideal setting for a day that’s meant to celebrate comfort food recipes. However, much like everything else, there’s a movie that might help – “The Oath,” released in 2018 as a reflection of Donald Trump’s first presidency, and now even more relevant in 2024 during his second term. It may also provide some extra laughs.
The Thanksgiving Table in America Is Forever Changed
The Oath served as a deeply personal endeavor for the humorous Ike Barinholtz, who penned, oversaw, and acted in the movie. The idea emerged swiftly following the [2016] election, and it was largely inspired by an incident that transpired during his own Thanksgiving celebration, a holiday of great significance to him and his kin. After dinner, with some wine circulating, a dispute ensued between Barinholtz, his mother, and brother, which led them to point fingers at one another: “Well, this is why it happened, because of people like us.” Barinholtz further elaborated on The Hollywood Reporter in October 2018.
“What struck me was that we’re all on the same side, we all voted for the same person, [albeit] with different levels of enthusiasm, but we’re aligned politically. I thought, ‘Oh my god, if this is happening in this house, what’s happening around the country?’ And in talking to my friends, who had all gone home, and my family, I knew that the holiday table in America is forever changed. The maxim ‘Don’t talk politics at the table’ is going to be harder than ever, you have to be really disciplined to not talk about politics now.”
The outcome is a blend of fantasy, comedy, and suspense set in a realm where the U.S. President from the Republican party has devised a loyalty pledge that citizens can endorse, with the deadline being Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving. Although individuals are informed they aren’t required to sign the pledge, it’s clear there will be records kept of those who have sworn allegiance to the President and those who haven’t. Furthermore, a new government department has been established to oversee this oath.
A Family’s Thanksgiving Becomes a Hostage Negotiation
The story unfolds in the days preceding Thanksgiving and the following day, within the Montana household. The protagonist, Chris Montana (Barinholtz), along with his spouse Kai (Tiffany Haddish), are preparing for the grand Thanksgiving feast and have extended invitations to Chris’ siblings. This includes his liberal sister Alice (Carrie Brownstein) and her family, his conservative brother Pat (Jon Barinholtz, Ike’s real brother) with his ultra-conservative partner Abbie (Meredith Hagner), and lastly, Chris’ centrist parents, Eleanor (Nora Dunn) and Hank (Chris Ellis).
Chris has developed an intense fixation on the oath, some might label him a passionate advocate for social justice, and he is quite vocal about perceived rising fascism. He spends late hours consuming news and composing lengthy posts on social media, making a peaceful Thanksgiving with his conservative family a potential source of conflict. And indeed, it turns out to be a heated gathering. The discussions grow extremely intense and loud, culminating in the shocking revelation that Chris’ entire family has pledged the oath, including his own spouse. As a result, Chris spends the night with a meal in his car.
The following day, two representatives from the government arrive at Chris’ home, identified as Peter (portrayed brilliantly by John Cho) and Mason (brought to life superbly by Billy Magnussen). Peter is sympathetic and gentle, whereas Mason is an ardent supporter of the President and a hot-tempered militarist. Tensions escalate when Chris resists and criticizes these men, resulting in a heated argument and Peter sustaining a severe head wound. In a flurry, Chris and his family restrain and bind Mason, who torments them psychologically with threats while they struggle to determine their next course of action, all the while Peter bleeds heavily.
Billy Magnussen gives a remarkable performance as a ruthless, malicious character who is bound and gagged yet cunningly attempts to outmaneuver his captors, using their ideological differences to gain freedom. He selectively targets family members with similar political views in an effort to manipulate them, mirroring the complex dynamics of power and influence in large-scale political systems.
‘The Oath’ Makes Fun of Both Sides of the Aisle
Title “The Oath” is consistently humorous, largely owing to Ike Barinholtz’s portrayal – a blend of self-righteousness and mania that effectively satirizes liberal views within a film that also criticizes the far right. The dialogue in this movie accurately encapsulates the political debates occurring nationwide, mirroring the left-right polarization. Characters ranging from woke liberals to indifferent bystanders are all humorously depicted in “The Oath“. By bringing these diverse characters together initially for Thanksgiving and later under the stress of a tense government crisis, it exposes the raw truths and neuroses of each character.
In a surprising turn at the climax of “The Oath”, we encounter an uncommon instance of a relatable deus ex machina, preventing the movie from descending too deeply into nihilism and gloom. Ultimately, family ties prove stronger than ideological differences, reminding us that some fundamental aspects of life, such as life, death, and incarceration, supersede ideologies. If you’re seeking a humorous, uplifting respite from the year’s tension or the possible awkwardness of Thanksgiving gatherings, consider watching “The Oath”. You can rent or buy it on various digital platforms like Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video via the provided link below:
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2024-11-26 19:03