“One Battle After Another” dredges up hope from the wreckage

Last week, a five-hour-long televised memorial service was held for Charlie Kirk, the late hatemonger whose “debate me” platform was designed to get a rise out of his ideological opponents and energize his growing conservative following. During this dismal Barnum & Bailey act, Donald Trump did an inordinately goofy dance during a performance of “America the Beautiful” while Kirk’s widow, Erika, stood next to him, mourning. Elsewhere, a man carrying a giant, wooden cross strolled through Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, encouraging attendees to drop to their knees and pray at will. The crucifix was on wheels, because in modern-day America, an integral part of choosing your cross to bear is figuring out how to make it everyone else’s problem.

It’s difficult not to dwell on just how clownish ou