IMPERIUM


There’s a tough side to Daniel Radcliffe as an FBI agent who infiltrates a fanatical Nazi-like racist organization. Although short and insignificant looking in comparison with the hulks in the targeted organization, Radcliffe as Nate Foster spouts authority like a Mafia boss. His FBI handler is played by Toni Collette, also with a tough edge.

Directed by Daniel Ragussis, the film is filled with danger as Nate worms his way into the confidence of racist leaders and their followers. It is hard to believe that he can get away with the deception, given all the situations that occur, even though the character of Nate is based on an actual operative.

The big fish Nate is after is a bigoted radio broadcaster, Dallas Wolf, convincingly played by Tracy Letts and shrewder than Nate.

The most harrowing scene is a racist keep-America-white march which is frighteningly ugly and gives a stark impression of the violence that lurks in the flourishing of such hatred.

But when all is said and done, Nate’s infiltration, although presented as a victory, doesn’t amount to much. All he nails is a small, barely significant group, and he is the one who entraps them into planning a bombing. It’s a weak result with a weak ending that makes one wonder whether, as presented in the film, all of the risking of Nate’s life was worth it for only this little haul. A Lionsgate Premiere release. Reviewed August 19, 2016.




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