BARBARIANS AT THE GATE
A film review by James Berardinelli
Copyright 1993 James Berardinelli
First Air Date: 3/20/93 Running Length: 1:49 Rated: NR (Language, brief nudity)
Starring: James Garner, Jonathan Pryce, Peter Riegert, Joanna Cassidy, Fred Dalton Thompson, Leilani Ferrer Director: Glenn Jordan Producer: Ray Stark Screenplay: Larry Gelbart based on the book by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar Music: Richard Gibbs Released by HBO Pictures (in association with Columbia Pictures)
BARBARIANS AT THE GATE, a made-for-HBO movie, recounts the events surrounding the biggest leveraged buyout in history, that of RJR Nabisco in 1988. Based on the bestseller of the same name, this film presents in some detail the decisions leading up to and the process by which RJR Nabisco's CEO F. Ross Johnson (James Garner) attempts to buy out his own company. Of greater interest, however, is the power struggle that develops between Johnson and Wall Street investment banker Henry Kravis (Jonathan Pryce), who intends to force Johnson out and take over RJR Nabisco on his own.
In general, the quality of most made-for-TV movies is abysmal. Low production values, shoddy direction, and poor acting abound. There are exceptions, of course, but not many. For that reason, in a year when there have been three too many Amy Fisher movies on the small screen, it's refreshing to come upon something with the intelligence, wit, and general high quality of BARBARIANS AT THE GATE.
BARBARIANS AT THE GATE is a story of high stakes, betrayal, and one- upsmanship that is told with a flair. Despite the nature of the subject, the general tone is lighthearted and at times even playful. From start to finish, there are few powerfully serious dramatic moments in BARBARIANS AT THE GATE. The film offers a different point-of-view on leveraged buyouts and other such mega-buck dealings. Most of us are used to looking in from the outside on these high-profile financial struggles; BARBARIANS AT THE GATE presents an insider's perspective - and not just any insider, but that of the "man at the top".
It's a credit to the production team that they're able to do so much with this movie. There's a lot of humor (most of it dry), a fair amount of tension, and numerous subtle-yet-pointed jabs at a "game" that rewards the losers with $23 million (after taxes). Pacing is excellent, especially during the last half-hour as the story builds to its climax. The furious rushing around of the characters is effectively translated to the audience. Whether you know the outcome or not, BARBARIANS AT THE GATE is captivating.
One would think that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to present a story with someone like F. Ross Johnson as the protagonist. After all, this is a very rich man involved in the kind of financial slight-of-hand that most Americans despise. However, screenwriter Larry Gelbart (taking cues from the Burrough/Helyar book) has managed to make Johnson a sympathetic and often-likable figure. Admittedly, the movie takes a few liberties. Some of Johnson's less-admirable traits have been downplayed, and he's presented as caring more about the work and the people who do it than the money he stands to make.
If this isn't the best performance of James Garner's career, it certainly tops anything he's done recently. It's difficult to gauge how much of the audience's rapport with Johnson comes as a result of the actor playing the role, but the job done by Garner is no small factor. His portrayal perfectly mixes greed, humanity, good-naturedness, and incompetence.
As Johnson's rival, Henry Kravis, Jonathan Pryce is equally as good, albeit with less screen time. Pryce makes the most of his opportunities and, although the Kravis is presented as a two-dimensional villain, Pryce's steely-eyed, tight-lipped performance gives the audience a good sense that this is a man not only to be reckoned with, but feared.
As much as the average person may despise the financial fakery of a leveraged buyout that results in thousands of lost jobs, BARBARIANS AT THE GATE, by looking at the situation from a different perspective, turns into a highly-entertaining film. Strong performances, coupled with a lively, clever script, are enough to draw the audience into the world of F. Ross Johnson. His morals, like those of anyone in a situation where a million dollars is small change, are screwed up - and the film takes delight in showing this in several wickedly-funny scenes - but the presentation of how he manages, and sometimes mismanages, the buyout is fascinating. More engaging is the battle between Johnson and Kravis, which has all the tension and drama of a high-stakes chess match.
BARBARIANS AT THE GATE is certainly a worthwhile effort, and, for those who can get past the natural distaste of the subject matter, likely to provide a witty, entertaining two hours. It's the equal of many of the better theatrically-released mainstream movies.
Rating: 8.7 (A-, ***)
- James Berardinelli (blake7@cc.bellcore.com)
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