Actor-producer Brad Pitt has credited Netflix for the grand production of his upcoming satirical comedy War Machine. While attending the press conference in Tokyo, the actor revealed that the film wouldn't have been possible without the support of the streaming giants.
"Quite honestly, without a delivery system like Netflix, this movie wouldn't have been made. Or if it did get made, it would have been at one-sixth of the budget only because of challenging material like this, where there is a great degree of difficulty to pull off," he added. The film is set to debut on May 26 on Netflix.
Produced by Pitt's Plan B, the film is based on the bestselling non-fiction book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan by late journalist Michael Hastings. Pitt plays the role of commanding general McMahon in this larger-than-life fiction directed by David Michod (best known for Animal Kingdom and The Rover).
The film is a fictionalised version of the events in the book based on the firing of United States Army General Stanley McChrystal. The supporting cast includes Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Tilda Swinton, and Ben Kingsley.
Pitt's comments come in at a time where there is a huge tug-of-war going on between Netflix and cinema halls. While Netflix is loved by investors and subscribers, a majority of the audience still seems to love art houses. In spite of the controversies, Netflix's two films are nominated for this year's Cannes Film Festival's prestigious Palme d'Or.
Meanwhile, an early review of the film published in Hollywood Reporter stated, "The film's scabrous, sometimes-arch, other times spot-on critique ultimately comes together in an effective finale that retroactively puts a better light on the entire film than might have seemed possible during some of the earlier, rougher moments."
While Guardian called it an over-the-top drama. "This movie never earns the sentimental respect we are presumably expected to pay to its hero, and Pitt's wacky caricature leaves you unsure whether he is being celebrated or satirised. War Machine sinks into a quagmire of its own making," it added.
