Bullet Points: Silk Road (2021)
Sometimes when a movie is based on a true story, it is best if you don’t know how it ends. This is the case with Silk Road. The less you know about the story it is based on, the more enjoyment you’re likely to get out of it. Silk Road hits select theaters, Digital and On Demand on February 19th. It will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 23rd. Silk Road is presented by Lionsgate.
- The Plot: eBay for illegal drugs. Silk Road is the “true” story of Ross Ulbricht (Nick Robinson) a twenty-something who creates a web site on the the dark web to buy and sell narcotics. Using Bitcoin as payment, he makes millions and millions of dollars. The government eventually takes notice, and Ross is pursued by a relentless DEA Agent, Rick Bowden. (Jason Clarke) Will Ross make it out alive, or is there an even more sinister fate waiting him? Silk Road is based on a Rolling Stones article written by David Kushner. Tiller Russell is the director, and he also wrote the screenplay. Silk Road also stars Jimmi Simpson, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Alexandra Shipp and Paul Walter Hauser.
- Sticking it to the man: Is the real Ross Ulbricht a folk hero? Did Ross know what he was getting into when he created the Silk Road? These are a couple of questions explored in Tiller Russell’s film. I’m still trying to figure out if I should feel sorry for Ross or not. In a way, Silk Road reminds me of the recent GameStop stock buy up. In both cases, the goal was for the “little guy” to get his fair share too. One wanted to stick it to the FEDS (Silk Road) and one wanted to give the middle finger to the super-huge hedge fund groups. (GameStop) I might be reaching, but I have a feeling others will think this way as well. We can call this a case of good timing for Silk Road. What’s even crazier for me, is the numerous stories I’ve read about Silk Road since I’ve watched the film. Perhaps, they were always there, and I just wasn’t paying attention. All I know is I should’ve bought some Bitcoin in 2009. I would not be writing this review right now if I did.
- The DEA: Perhaps the most sympathetic character in Silk Road is Jason Clarke’s Rick Bowden. He is fresh out of rehab and working cyber crimes with the DEA. I wonder how much of Rick’s story is real? His daughter has a learning disability, and she needs to go to a special private school that costs more than Rick’s annul salary. Hell, I’m not even sure Rick is a real person. Jason Clarke is a great actor, and he is rock solid in Silk Road. But, what is definitely missing in Silk Road is the bang bang shoot em up action. I want to see guns blazing and bullets flying. Instead, I get quotes from various people such as: I just fucked a libertarian and you’re right as rain. Has anyone ever said you’re right as rain? Let me know in the comments below. I felt the script was off a tad. At times, Silk Road didn’t know what kind of movie it wanted to be.
- Wrapping it up: Silk Road was made with good intentions. It tells a story that needs to be told. I am however left with a lot more questions than answers after my viewing. Should you watch? I’ll give my best liberation answer in honor of Ross Ulbricht and say: It is totally up to you.
Bonus Bullet Points…
- Possible remake: There’s a Dutch film made in 2017 called Silk Road with a very similar plot. Maybe, you want to check it out?
- Living in your mom’s basement: If there was ever an actor who is making a career out of playing characters you would expect to live in their mom’s basement, it is definitely Paul Walter Hauser. Watch Silk Road. You will know exactly what I’m talking about.
- Grade / Score: C+
