Danny Boyle's new film, "Ink," chronicles the tumultuous first year of The Sun newspaper under Australian owner Rupert Murdoch and the leadership of editor Larry Lamb. Released in the UK on January 8, the film, adapted from James Graham's stage play, aims to capture the essence of the tabloid's transformation from a "laughing stock" to Britain's best-selling daily paper.
The narrative begins in October 1969, detailing how Lamb, portrayed by Jack O'Connell, and his editorial team developed a new approach to journalism. This involved making all content, including hard news, as entertaining as possible. The film highlights the inclusion of television, football, astrology, and sex in the paper's coverage, alongside a focus on British cultural touchstones like the weather. This strategy was driven by Murdoch's opposition to the establishment, though the film suggests even he was taken aback when Lamb, prioritizing circulation, introduced the Page 3 girl.
O'Connell's performance as Lamb has been described as "thunderously good," while Guy Pearce plays Rupert Murdoch. Claire Foy takes on the role of Jules, a fictional composite of female journalists of the era.
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is noted for its "loud, brash and snappily edited" style, mirroring the dynamic nature of The Sun newspaper itself. The dialogue has been described as "spectacularly profane."