Sweet Empire

Maia (CA)

Sweet Empire

Directed by Ron Howard
Produced by Brian Grazer
Written by Akiva Goldsman
Editing by Daniel P. Hanley
Cinematography by Salvatore Totino
Makeup by Ivana Primorac
Costume Design by Michael O’Connor
Art Direction by Robert Gould & William Sandell
Original Score by Elliot Goldenthal

Principal Cast:
Russell Crowe as Milton Hershey
Bacon as Frank Mars
Terrence Howard as Desmond Williams
Rachel Griffiths as Julia Delano
Rosemarie De Witt as Kitty Hershey
Maria Bello as Veronica Healey-Mars
Ashton Holmes as Forrest Mars
And
Robert Duvall as Henry Hershey

Tagline: “Nothing is sweeter than betrayal”

Synopsis:
A parallel look at the rise of Milton Hershey and Frank Mars, founders of the chocolate empires; and their legacy of corporate rivalry:

New York City, 1990
You may have heard about Coke vs. Pepsi, McDonalds vs. Burger King but until now, the final day of trial in this consuming corporate battle, the American public had not paid much attention to the bitter competition between candy giants Hershey and Mars.

From industrial espionage to aggressive acquisitions, from devious marketing to political manipulation; both Hershey and Mars have been guilty of non-ethical business practices for decades. But what empire began the war? Was it the charitable but politically forceful Hershey Chocolate Company? Or was it the hostile but consumer-friendly Mars, Incorporated?

That’s what corporate lawyers Delano (Griffiths), for Mars, and Williams (Howard); for Hershey, are determined to finally settle down…

Hershey, Pennsylvania (1945)
Having returned home from Europe after supplying chocolate bars for the U.S. troops during World War II, benevolent entrepreneur Milton Hershey was ready to continue his charitable labor across his little utopia along his wife Kitty (who was still coping with her recently discovered infertility). However, as it had happened to many other good men during the war, Hershey came back as a different man. Now, in his dreams, Hershey would remember his disapproving father Henry; a baptist farmer and an alcoholic that grew old resenting his own son’s accomplishments, and while awake, Hershey’s optimistic nature had started to die out as the attacks from a rising rival increased.

Minneapolis, Minnesota (1950)
After losing the coveted right to supply the U.S. troops with chocolate during the war (and all the good publicity that came along), ruthless industrialist Frank Mars and his son Forrest were determined to bring down the market leader’s monopoly. Unfortunately, while father and son shared the same vision, they differed on their principles: Mars Sr. was an aggressive competitor but also a gifted businessman with a distinctive code of honor. Mars Jr. on the other hand, was a conniving personality unable to trust anyone, not even his own family. Father and son grew apart over the years and the rumored affair between Mars’ second wife, arrogant socialite Veronica Healey, and his offspring didn’t help their troubled relationship.

1990
Closing arguments told, lawyer Julia Delano questioned the veracity of her own words. She knew the Mars were merciless competitors but she also knew she had a job thousands of men had fought for. Compromising values for a nice paycheck was nothing to feel sorry for and yet, Hershey’s lawyer Desmond Williams couldn’t stop thinking about it. He knew the Hersheys had used their political muscle to stop most of their competitors but he also knew he had a job thousands of men had fought for and one a man like him could only dream of.

With the jury now in session, there was nothing left to do but wait for the verdict. Victory leaves a great taste in one’s mouth - both lawyers thought - but certainly; nothing is sweeter than betrayal.

What the Press Would Say:
A sour rivalry lies beneath the sweetness in Ron Howard’s elegant look at the perpetual competition of candy empires Hershey and Mars. Based on the acclaimed novel “The Emperors of Chocolate” and lusciously adapted to the big screen by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman, Sweet Empire is a powerful dramatic piece that effectively brings back memories of the old Hollywood romanticism as it poignantly addresses several issues that are still relevant in our modern days.

Under Howard’s leadership for the third time, Russell Crowe plays wonderfully against type as the celebrated Milton Hershey. A benevolent figure that succeeded as a businessman and became a role model for every capitalist in the world but ultimately, one who died feeling he had failed as a man. Crowe portrays Hershey with class and dazzling charisma but he truly shines when the pathos of his sugarcoated on-screen persona is revealed. Tormented by bad dreams from the past, frustrated by the forces menacing his vision in the present and grief-stricken by the uncertainty of his legacy as he looks into the future without a heir; Crowe delivers once again an iconic and unforgettable performance.

Similarly, Kevin Bacon lands the role of a lifetime as the inscrutable Frank Mars. A seemingly brutal man willing to betray and crush everyone around him in order to succeed but at the core, a distant man incapable to connect with the people he truly loves. Bacon is exceptional and certainly seems likely to receive, at last, some appreciation from the Academy. And while Crowe and Bacon are never together on-screen, Howard ensembles a powerful cast that keeps both stories energized:

Rosemarie De Witt, as Hershey’s suffering wife, is given a very fleshy, moving role (contrary to what we would expect in a biopic). De Witt plays a woman trapped in a golden cage, breaking apart slowly and alienating herself from everyone around her as she finds herself unable to deal with her sterility. De Witt displays her acting range by presenting ‘Kitty’ as a soul battling feelings of sorrow, desperation and the understandable guilt that would haunt a woman of her time but simultaneously; she never allows her character to fall into overdramatic territory and by doing this, she ends up delivering a winning performance.

Ashton Holmes (A History of Violence) is incredibly effective as Mars’ ambitious son Forrest, the man who would ultimately turn the Mars into the richest family in America. Robert Duvall delivers a classy Hollywood performance as the bitter Hershey patriarch that becomes the catalyst in Milton Hershey’s life and Maria Bello provides a lot of the film’s comic relief (and sex appeal) as Mars’ catty wife.

Finally, Rachel Griffiths and Terrence Howard vitalize the contemporary (and the film’s most poignant) setting as the lawyers representing the rival empires. Goldsman and Howard create relevant, appealing characters that both excellent performers devour and transform into deep, tough-talking performances.

Overall, Howard’s stylish direction and the exceptional commitment displayed by the whole talent involved make Sweet Empire a gripping, multilayered experience of first-class filmmaking that just like good chocolate, it’s impossible to resist.

For Your Consideration:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Ron Howard
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor: Russell Crowe
Best Actor: Kevin Bacon
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Duvall
Best Supporting Actor: Ashton Holmes
Best Supporting Actor: Terrence Howard
Best Supporting Actress: Rosemarie De Witt (Lead, HFPA)
Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Griffiths
Creativity Awards