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The Summit
On the eve of a
fictional G8 summit being held in Canada, a dastardly US pharmaceutical
company holds a series of experimental vaccine trials in Bogota,
Columbia. The trials, to put it mildly, have a number of unexpected
consequences. In spite of some drastic and bloody attempts to cover up
the fiasco, the vaccinations precipitate the outbreak of a biological
weapon that could conceivably take millions of lives. Columbian labour
leader Maria (Mia Maestro) and a Canadian bioterrorism expert (James
Purefoy) must race to find the antidote, and attempt to expose the
cover-up as the infection threatens to descend on an unsuspecting
populace.
Bioterrorism, the
insatiable nature of corporate greed and the opportunism of wily
politicos are all grist for the mill in this 2-part Canadian
miniseries. Released to wide acclaim in its homeland, the series makes
some interesting and pertinent points about the current political
climate, or to put it more aptly, the political climate of early 2007
when the series was produced. Though nowadays falling share prices,
trade tariffs and the global economic meltdown might be more pressing
concerns than the potential threat of biological warfare, The Summit
nonetheless paints a vivid picture of behind-the-scenes political
machinations, allowing the tension to build throughout its three-hour
running time before swelling to a satisfying and convincing crescendo.
Maestro is excellent as the grief-torn mother on a desperate search for
justice, and the large ensemble cast likewise contribute well-rounded
and convincing performances. Christopher Plummer is a little
stereotypical as the fiendish US president determined to hijack to
summit in favour of a controversial security bill, but Bruce Greenwood
and Nigel Bennet are perfectly cast as the Canadian and British leaders
respectively, with Bennet in particular delivering a much ballsier PM
than we’re used to seeing on the screen. Or in real life, for that
matter.
With first-rate
cinematography and some superb direction courtesy of Nick Copus (The
4400), The Summit is a polished and compelling drama that
will appeal to anyone of a more liberal bent. Featuring numerous
stalwarts of the Canadian screen, the acting is universally strong and
provides a good counter to some of the more outlandish elements of the
plot. It must be noted that this is not an objective look at American
policy abroad or the tenets of capitalist trade practises. Put mildly,
the US takes a bashing here, while Canadians mostly come across as noble
and truth-loving creatures intent on improving the lot of the world’s
impoverished masses. Be that as it may the production is a definite
success, and one that will resonate long after its final scene has
played out. |
