Movies About Corrupt Government

From James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Rea
Rated R

V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowskis, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The film takes place in a future London where a fascist government has taken control of the United Kingdom. V (Hugo Weaving), a charismatic freedom fighter in a Guy Fawkes mask, works to bring down the oppressive government, inspiring the people of London to revolt against the oppressive regime. V's mission is to convince the people of London that freedom is worth fighting for, no matter the cost or the dark forces that oppose him. The film follows V and a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) as they battle against the government and its oppressive forces. Along the way, V and Evey uncover a hidden conspiracy that could potentially lead to the downfall of the government. V for Vendetta is a powerful film that shows the importance of standing up for what is right and inspiring others to do the same.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential is a 1997 neo-noir crime drama directed by Curtis Hanson, adapted from the novel of the same name by James Ellroy. The film follows three police officers, who become embroiled in a web of corruption and deceit while investigating a series of murders linked to a powerful criminal organization. The movie follows a group of police officers and detectives in 1950s Los Angeles as they investigate a series of murders connected to a powerful criminal organization. The investigation leads them to a corrupt politician and police captain who is at the center of a huge conspiracy. As the officers delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of lies and deceit that threatens to bring the city to its knees. Along the way, the heroes are forced to confront their own ethical dilemmas as they attempt to bring justice to the criminals. In the end, justice prevails, but at a great cost.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire
Rated R

Serpico is a 1973 American biographical crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino. The film is based on the true story of NYPD officer Frank Serpico, who went undercover to expose police corruption in the early 1970s. The film follows Serpico from his rookie year up until his final confrontation with corrupt officers. Despite facing numerous death threats, Serpico continues to investigate and put the criminals away, including high-ranking police officers. He faces abuse and betrayals from his own colleagues and eventually gets shot in the face during a drug bust. In the end, he testifies in front of a commission, speaking out against the corruption in the police department and inspiring other officers to help bring it to an end.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jacob Vargas
Rated R

Traffic is an American crime drama directed by Steven Soderbergh, which follows the intertwined stories of a group of people involved in the War on Drugs. The story is told from multiple perspectives, showing how the War on Drugs has affected the lives of everyone involved, from a Drug Enforcement Administration agent to a Mexican police officer, a wealthy businessman, a pregnant wife and her husband, and a teenage drug addict. The film follows the characters as their lives intersect, illustrating the complex relationships between drug traffickers, law enforcement, and the communities affected by the drug trade. As the characters struggle to balance their personal lives with the harsh realities of the drug war, the film offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human cost of the War on Drugs.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Treat Williams, Jerry Orbach, Richard Foronjy, Don Billett
Rated R

From Rod Lurie, starring Joan Allen, Gary Oldman, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater
Rated R

From Ron Shelton, starring Kurt Russell, Ving Rhames, Scott Speedman, Michael Michele
Rated R

From Lee Tamahori, starring Nick Nolte, Melanie Griffith, Jennifer Connelly, Chazz Palminteri
Rated R

From Harold Becker, starring Al Pacino, John Cusack, Bridget Fonda, Danny Aiello
Rated R

From Robert Towne, starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Raul Julia
Rated R