Los Angeles, 1947. As the Cold War plunges America into a climate of paranoia, a witch hunt begins. The focus tightens on the Hollywood industry, which is suspected of hiding communists who use movies to pervert minds to the cause. Among them is the prolific star screenwriter Donald Trumbo (Roman Holiday, Spartacus). Trumbo is jailed, blacklisted and becomes a pariah. But he continues to work in secret, fighting against the government’s anti-communist crusade, spurred on by Senator Joe McCarthy.

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Almost 70 years later, Hollywood makes amends with this biopic dedicated to a great victim of McCarthyism, one of the "Hollywood Ten", artists accused of anti-American activities in 1947 whose careers were ruined. In winning two Academy Awards (including one for Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn) in the 1950’s, which were attributed to another name because he couldn’t officially work, Donald Trumbo is the true hero of this biopic, which is carried by prestigious cast, down to the supporting parts – Helen Mirren, Diane Lane, Louis CK, John Goodman, Elle Fanning, and star Bryan Cranston, who was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. Unfortunately, the excellent subject matter is spoiled by the flatness of the movie’s production, which is too calibrated to be deep or passionate, in the end being neither really boring or totally interesting. This movie by Jay Roach (best known for the Austin Powers and Meet the Fockers comedy franchises) looks like one of those mediocre star vehicles made to produce Oscars every year.