REEL CRITICS -- DOUBLE TAKE:’All the King’s Men’ goes over the top

A charismatic “hick” skyrockets from local office to governor, winning the hearts of the working stiff. But his blunt ways make powerful enemies and cause a scandal that leads to his impeachment.

Sound familiar? It is the story from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “All the King’s Men,” written by Robert Penn Warren. Patterned after real-life Louisiana politician Huey Long, the 1949 movie won three Oscars, including best picture.

Sadly, this new version is like many unfulfilled campaign promises: Sometimes the talent is dazzling, but it’s still just hot air.

Sean Penn plays Willie Stark, a complicated man with the fervor of a preacher and the ethics of a shark. See Penn bellow like an outraged bull — he’s hooked on histrionics.

Jude Law, as the conflicted aide and narrator Jack Burden, moons about like somebody stole his mint julep. Ditto Kate Winslet and Mark Ruffalo.

Some notable performances: Patricia Clarkson as Willie’s flinty public relations gal and lover; a giant James Gandolfini as shifty party boss Tiny Duffy. Jackie Earle Haley (“The Bad News Bears”) makes a menacing return to the screen as Willie’s driver, Sugar Boy.

Writer-director Steve Zaillian (“Schindler’s List”) was smart to keep some of the novelist’s wonderful prose in the voice-overs. But an overly lush musical score needlessly punctuates nearly every single scene, robbing us of the chance to feel genuine emotion.

There’s not even a whiff of subtlety in the tragic climax. The camera lingers over two violent deaths, following the blood as it trails like two rivers flooding over the Great Seal of Louisiana embedded in the Capitol floor, and the violins swell to a thunderous crescendo.

OK. We get it. Can we move on now?

The plot centers on Willie Stark, a fictional Louisiana politician who is an obvious stand-in for the legendary radical populist Huey Long. Sean Penn may garner a best actor nomination for his portrayal of the flawed statesman. Jude Law’s brooding work as a journalist turned political hack might also be worthy of an Oscar nod. Anthony Hopkins and Kate Winslet are noteworthy in their fine supporting roles.

The costumes, sets and music are first rate.

Steven Zaillian wrote and directed this mixed cinematic effort. As a director he gets a lot from his actors and technical staff. But his writing in this film seems to impede their progress.

In “The Falcon and the Snowman” his screenplay brought clarity and insight to a complex true story. But in “All the King’s Men” his screenplay brings confusion and bewilderment to a plot that cries out to be told in a straightforward way.

Complex screenplay begs for simplicity“All the King’s Men” is a slick Hollywood period piece with great cinematography, atmosphere and a story rooted in American history. It’s loaded with actors who already have multiple Oscar nominations to their credit. But the convoluted and sometimes contrived screenplay keeps this film and its fine actors from reaching their full potential.