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By Jennifer B. Kaufman
2006.09
There's a saying that politics is show business for ugly people. Despite this, Hollywood has never shied away from spinning the political scene celluloid style. With critical primaries and mid-term elections giving us a crazy mixed salad of party-hopping, long-time politicians getting the ax and a focus on issues but not on the issues, voting can be rather perplexing. Don't fret. Before you make your way into the voting booth or stuff that ballot box, vote with your remote. Here are several films to enjoy during any election year.
Wag the Dog (1997)
The president has been caught molesting a young girl weeks before the big election. How can the White House divert the nation's attention from the presidents wandering hands? Start a war with Albania, of course. Well, actually start a war using all the special effects Hollywood can offer. At the helm of this biting satire is Robert De Niro as a secretive political operative, Dustin Hoffman as a Hollywood producer and Anne Heche, as a presidential aide. All three use modern trickery and technology to convince both the public and the press that, hey, if it's on television, then it must be true. This hilarious mix of Hollywood magic and White House spin will make you ask yourself the next time you turn on the television, "Am I watching CNN or 'Entertainment Tonight'?"
Bob Roberts (1992)
Oscar-winner Tim Robbins plays a folk-singing US senate candidate in this whip-smart mock documentary. Bob Roberts doesn't sing about protecting the environment or helping the poor, he sings of wanting to be rich and hating liberals. And he wants to bring these views to the Senate. Robbins (who also directed this film) has the clear-eyed insight on how candidates on both the left and the right manipulate the media for their own benefit. Peter Gallagher and Susan Sarandon are perfect as a couple of butt-kissing, dim bulb news anchors. Alan Rickman is also dead on as Roberts' sleazy campaign financier. Giancarlo Esposito plays a dirt-digging journalist with some dangerous information that could derail Roberts' campaign. Look for a very young, Jack Black as a wild-eyed teenage follower of the Bob Roberts campaign.
The War Room (1993)
From a mock documentary, we come to a real documentary. This movie, by D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hedgus, gives the viewer a behind-the-scenes look at Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. However, Clinton is mostly on the edge of this very engrossing film. The stars of "The War Room" are James Carville, Clinton's "Ragin' Cajun" campaign manager, and George Stephanopoulos, former Rhodes Scholar turned director of communications. Carville, Stephanopoulos and their crew of mostly idealistic Generation X-ers give the viewer a very interesting and entertaining look at what it is like to run a campaign from the first staff meeting to election night victory. One of the funniest scenes is where the troops wonder if they should use hand-written or printed signs at a political rally. Bit players like Gennifer Flowers and Ross Perot may make you ask, "Whatever happened to them?" "The War Room" isn't just a movie about a presidential campaign; it's a wonderful primer on what can be done with hard work, passion and a drive to succeed.
Election (1999)
Someone once said that real life is like high school with money. The student council shenanigans at George Washington Carver High School wouldn't look out of place in any presidential election. Recent Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, a hyper-driven student who makes Martha Stewart look like an underachieving sloth. Matthew Broderick plays Jim McCallister, a well-liked social studies teacher who has an almost pathological loathing of Tracy. In fear of her success, he encourages Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), a popular jock, to run against Tracy in the student council election. Unlike Tracy, the only things Paul can offer to the campaign are blank stares and idiotic comments. But, then again, when has that stopped anyone from getting elected? Broderick is brilliant as his character goes from idealistic teacher to someone who can get down and dirty with the sleaziest of political spinsters. And Witherspoon, as Tracy, sets herself apart from most of today's young blond actresses.
The Contender (2000)
Men have been running the American presidential pop stand for far too long; time to give the ladies a chance, right? Joan Allen plays Laine Hansen, a senator who's been tapped for the role of vice-president. The former second-in-command has died in office and President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) wants a woman to fill the role. Senator Hansen has the right stuff. Yet, during her confirmation, sexual secrets from her past threaten her confirmation. Are these stories true or mere innuendo? It is the confirmation committee chairman, played by Gary Oldman, who leaks these sleazy allegations to the press. Why did he do it? Is it because Senator Hansen is a Democrat and he's a Republican? Is it because she's a woman? Or is it because he'd prefer a different candidate as VP? Senator Hansen is ripped apart by the stories of her wayward youth. She wonders if she should fight back or stick to her principles and refuse to comment on the allegations. This movie questions whether we should still be accountable for something that might have happened years ago or should we be judged on the person we are today.
The Matchmaker (1997)
Janeane Garofalo plays Marcy Tizard, the cynical and overworked campaign worker for US Senator John McGlory. Hoping to connect with Irish-American voters and get their much-needed votes, Senator McGlory's chief-of-staff has Marcy travel to the senator's ancestral home of Ballinagra, Ireland. Marcy is set on finding the senator's relatives and learning about his ancestors. However, she soon finds herself in the middle of this small village's annual Matchmaking Festival where she meets an intriguing bartender named Sean (David O'Hara). Too busy trying to get her boss re-elected, at first Marcy rebuffs Sean, but she learns that things aren't always what they seem in both politics and love.
All the President's Men (1976)
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman play Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, respectively, in this political and journalistic thriller. Woodward and Bernstein get the scoop of a lifetime that leads to the downfall of Richard Nixon. After getting some news about burglary at the Democratic headquarters at Watergate, Woodward and Bernstein investigate one of the biggest political scandals in American history. This movie expertly directed by Alan Pakula, makes even the most tedious of journalistic phone and leg work look fascinating and probably inspired many young people to take up journalism. Jason Robards is both supportive and tough in his Oscar-winning role as Ben Bradlee, the executive editor at the Post. The movie may look dated with its typewriters and reporters' notebooks rather than computers and Palm Pilots. But its mix of politics and the media make it very contemporary.
Dick (1999)
This movie asks, “What if Watergate's shadowy snitch Deep Throat was actually two daffy teenage girls?” Betsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) don't quite realize that they're going to be a part of American history when they accidentally run into G. Gordon Liddy on the night of the break in of the Democratic headquarters at Watergate. Later, during a school field trip, they run into President Nixon (hilariously played by Dan Hedaya). Not wanting Betsy and Arlene to spill the beans about the Watergate break-in, Nixon buys their silence by making them official White House dog walkers and secret youth advisors. Though daffy, they're not dumb, and Betsy and Arlene soon realize they are being played by the commander-in-chief. They decide to go to the press with their scoop and help Woodward and Bernstein bring the scandal to the forefront of America's consciousness. Though two teenage girls are the leads, this clever and very funny flick is several rungs above the typical sophomoric teen comedy.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
This delightfully charming film shows us politics as we wish they could be. Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, an idealistic scoutmaster turned US senator. Washington's major players don't think the affable Mr. Smith could ever be a threat to their corrupt political machinations. Even, Senator Smith's secretary played Jean Arthur doesn't think he has the stuff to handle Capitol Hill. However, Senator Smith believes politics should serve the American people, not hoodwink them, and he refuses to back down. This film is both funny and fast-paced and Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith with both aw-shucks charm and political savvy. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" deserves to be placed in the pantheon of Hollywood's Golden age. And its message of decency and good character should be taught to every political science student.
By Jennifer B. Kaufman
2006.09
There's a saying that politics is show business for ugly people. Despite this, Hollywood has never shied away from spinning the political scene celluloid style. With critical primaries and mid-term elections giving us a crazy mixed salad of party-hopping, long-time politicians getting the ax and a focus on issues but not on the issues, voting can be rather perplexing. Don't fret. Before you make your way into the voting booth or stuff that ballot box, vote with your remote. Here are several films to enjoy during any election year.
Wag the Dog (1997)
The president has been caught molesting a young girl weeks before the big election. How can the White House divert the nation's attention from the presidents wandering hands? Start a war with Albania, of course. Well, actually start a war using all the special effects Hollywood can offer. At the helm of this biting satire is Robert De Niro as a secretive political operative, Dustin Hoffman as a Hollywood producer and Anne Heche, as a presidential aide. All three use modern trickery and technology to convince both the public and the press that, hey, if it's on television, then it must be true. This hilarious mix of Hollywood magic and White House spin will make you ask yourself the next time you turn on the television, "Am I watching CNN or 'Entertainment Tonight'?"
Bob Roberts (1992)
Oscar-winner Tim Robbins plays a folk-singing US senate candidate in this whip-smart mock documentary. Bob Roberts doesn't sing about protecting the environment or helping the poor, he sings of wanting to be rich and hating liberals. And he wants to bring these views to the Senate. Robbins (who also directed this film) has the clear-eyed insight on how candidates on both the left and the right manipulate the media for their own benefit. Peter Gallagher and Susan Sarandon are perfect as a couple of butt-kissing, dim bulb news anchors. Alan Rickman is also dead on as Roberts' sleazy campaign financier. Giancarlo Esposito plays a dirt-digging journalist with some dangerous information that could derail Roberts' campaign. Look for a very young, Jack Black as a wild-eyed teenage follower of the Bob Roberts campaign.
The War Room (1993)
From a mock documentary, we come to a real documentary. This movie, by D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hedgus, gives the viewer a behind-the-scenes look at Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. However, Clinton is mostly on the edge of this very engrossing film. The stars of "The War Room" are James Carville, Clinton's "Ragin' Cajun" campaign manager, and George Stephanopoulos, former Rhodes Scholar turned director of communications. Carville, Stephanopoulos and their crew of mostly idealistic Generation X-ers give the viewer a very interesting and entertaining look at what it is like to run a campaign from the first staff meeting to election night victory. One of the funniest scenes is where the troops wonder if they should use hand-written or printed signs at a political rally. Bit players like Gennifer Flowers and Ross Perot may make you ask, "Whatever happened to them?" "The War Room" isn't just a movie about a presidential campaign; it's a wonderful primer on what can be done with hard work, passion and a drive to succeed.
Election (1999)
Someone once said that real life is like high school with money. The student council shenanigans at George Washington Carver High School wouldn't look out of place in any presidential election. Recent Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, a hyper-driven student who makes Martha Stewart look like an underachieving sloth. Matthew Broderick plays Jim McCallister, a well-liked social studies teacher who has an almost pathological loathing of Tracy. In fear of her success, he encourages Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), a popular jock, to run against Tracy in the student council election. Unlike Tracy, the only things Paul can offer to the campaign are blank stares and idiotic comments. But, then again, when has that stopped anyone from getting elected? Broderick is brilliant as his character goes from idealistic teacher to someone who can get down and dirty with the sleaziest of political spinsters. And Witherspoon, as Tracy, sets herself apart from most of today's young blond actresses.
The Contender (2000)
Men have been running the American presidential pop stand for far too long; time to give the ladies a chance, right? Joan Allen plays Laine Hansen, a senator who's been tapped for the role of vice-president. The former second-in-command has died in office and President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) wants a woman to fill the role. Senator Hansen has the right stuff. Yet, during her confirmation, sexual secrets from her past threaten her confirmation. Are these stories true or mere innuendo? It is the confirmation committee chairman, played by Gary Oldman, who leaks these sleazy allegations to the press. Why did he do it? Is it because Senator Hansen is a Democrat and he's a Republican? Is it because she's a woman? Or is it because he'd prefer a different candidate as VP? Senator Hansen is ripped apart by the stories of her wayward youth. She wonders if she should fight back or stick to her principles and refuse to comment on the allegations. This movie questions whether we should still be accountable for something that might have happened years ago or should we be judged on the person we are today.
The Matchmaker (1997)
Janeane Garofalo plays Marcy Tizard, the cynical and overworked campaign worker for US Senator John McGlory. Hoping to connect with Irish-American voters and get their much-needed votes, Senator McGlory's chief-of-staff has Marcy travel to the senator's ancestral home of Ballinagra, Ireland. Marcy is set on finding the senator's relatives and learning about his ancestors. However, she soon finds herself in the middle of this small village's annual Matchmaking Festival where she meets an intriguing bartender named Sean (David O'Hara). Too busy trying to get her boss re-elected, at first Marcy rebuffs Sean, but she learns that things aren't always what they seem in both politics and love.
All the President's Men (1976)
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman play Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, respectively, in this political and journalistic thriller. Woodward and Bernstein get the scoop of a lifetime that leads to the downfall of Richard Nixon. After getting some news about burglary at the Democratic headquarters at Watergate, Woodward and Bernstein investigate one of the biggest political scandals in American history. This movie expertly directed by Alan Pakula, makes even the most tedious of journalistic phone and leg work look fascinating and probably inspired many young people to take up journalism. Jason Robards is both supportive and tough in his Oscar-winning role as Ben Bradlee, the executive editor at the Post. The movie may look dated with its typewriters and reporters' notebooks rather than computers and Palm Pilots. But its mix of politics and the media make it very contemporary.
Dick (1999)
This movie asks, “What if Watergate's shadowy snitch Deep Throat was actually two daffy teenage girls?” Betsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) don't quite realize that they're going to be a part of American history when they accidentally run into G. Gordon Liddy on the night of the break in of the Democratic headquarters at Watergate. Later, during a school field trip, they run into President Nixon (hilariously played by Dan Hedaya). Not wanting Betsy and Arlene to spill the beans about the Watergate break-in, Nixon buys their silence by making them official White House dog walkers and secret youth advisors. Though daffy, they're not dumb, and Betsy and Arlene soon realize they are being played by the commander-in-chief. They decide to go to the press with their scoop and help Woodward and Bernstein bring the scandal to the forefront of America's consciousness. Though two teenage girls are the leads, this clever and very funny flick is several rungs above the typical sophomoric teen comedy.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
This delightfully charming film shows us politics as we wish they could be. Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, an idealistic scoutmaster turned US senator. Washington's major players don't think the affable Mr. Smith could ever be a threat to their corrupt political machinations. Even, Senator Smith's secretary played Jean Arthur doesn't think he has the stuff to handle Capitol Hill. However, Senator Smith believes politics should serve the American people, not hoodwink them, and he refuses to back down. This film is both funny and fast-paced and Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith with both aw-shucks charm and political savvy. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" deserves to be placed in the pantheon of Hollywood's Golden age. And its message of decency and good character should be taught to every political science student.
