‘A Statement’ Review: Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti And Superb Ensemble In Tom McCarthy’s Splendid Humanist Look At Climate Change – New York Film Festival
Director Tom McCarthy's new film "A Statement" dramatises a 1980 climate conference in Florida where scientists, academics, politicians and environmentalists gathered to reach consensus on carbon dioxide emissions and craft a unified policy statement. The film, based on actual meeting transcripts and adapted from Nathaniel Rich's book "Losing Earth: A Recent History," offers a timely meditation on civil discourse and shared humanity at a moment when climate remains deeply polarised and we have made little progress since that conference 46 years ago.
The conference took place in late October 1980 in St. Pete Beach, just days before Ronald Reagan's election victory over Jimmy Carter, with dialogue unfolding around a hotel conference table over four sessions spanning two days. The ensemble cast includes Paul Rudd as master of ceremonies and Paul Giamatti, with McCarthy employing his characteristic humanistic approach—the same sensibility that earned his film "Spotlight" the 2015 Best Picture Oscar—to transform what might have been dense policy discussion into an entertaining, moving and unexpectedly humorous exploration of human connection and shared purpose.
- Tom McCarthy directs dramatisation of 1980 climate conference with Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti.
- Film based on actual transcripts, highlights how divided we've become on climate.
- Despite dark subject, film's message of shared humanity offers timely encouragement today.
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Tom McCarthy's new film dramatises an actual climate science conference held in St. Pete Beach, Florida in late October 1980. Scientists, academics, politicians and environmentalists gathered to try to agree on carbon dioxide emissions and produce a shared policy statement—just days before Ronald Reagan's election victory over Jimmy Carter.
The conference is worth examining today because it took place 46 years ago, yet climate change remains deeply polarised and little meaningful progress has been made since. McCarthy, whose film Spotlight won Best Picture in 2015, takes a humanistic approach that finds genuine emotion and humanity in what could have been dry policy discussions. His ensemble cast, including Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti, transforms the conference into an examination of how people attempt to find common ground and shared purpose.
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