In 1933, a coalition of businessmen dissatisfied with FDR’s economic policies surreptitiously planned a coup. The failed Business Plot aimed to depose FDR and install a dictator.
In 1933, a coalition of businessmen dissatisfied with FDR’s economic policies surreptitiously planned a coup. The failed Business Plot aimed to depose FDR and install a dictator.
Wait, what?! All the marketing made it seem like a lighthearted parody of period murder mysteries-- how the heck does the Business Plot fit in?
I think the movie was intentionally a bit “Forrest Gump”-esque, we’re not meant to focus on the Nazis, the Nazi sympathizers, or the treasonous business owners. We’re supposed to focus on the human bond, the relationship between the main characters, and how it all comes together at the last minute to resolve the plot (and the Plot).
I’m of a mixed opinion regarding the marketing, on the one hand the plot they uncover is a fundamental aspect of the story and would have definitely drawn more attention, but on the other hand drawing attention to the Plot was exactly what they wanted to avoid, do they leave the Business Plot out of the marketing or do they give in and weaken the whole message of the movie?
Not very well, honestly. Hence the mixed reviews. Amsterdam felt like two different decent movies that didn’t fit together. It starts out seeming to be an earnest, whimsical love story between a group of friends and somehow ends up being an antifascist historical drama. The murder mystery is a really brief side plot red herring and what the main characters really investigate is who is behind the plot to overthrow the President. For some reason.