It's the 1964 presidential election. Both major parties have two strong contenders. William Russell
as played by Henry Fonda. And Joe Cantwell as played by Cliff Robertson.
Both candidates some up the good qualities and the horrible qualities about the respective parties and their representatives as of the time.
Joe is a headstrong man. He's willing to use manipulation and even black male to get his way. Because he believes that the president has to be strong and has to take a stance against all the evils of the world. He needs to fight back against the mafia and communism and believes that his opponent Russell is the wrong kind of candidate for the job. Russell on the other hand is a more steadfast and honorary man. Believing firmly in the rules of proper play and to keep himself away from the realm of corruption. But he's indecisive and is known to have his own vices it's rumored that he's cheated on his wife he suffers of a mental breakdown the latter of which Joe wants to use as blackmail against him.
And in the middle of this presidential race is the former president played by Lee Tracy. His support for either candidate could easily push them over and give them the edge. But he doesn't like Joe thinks the man's a bit of a brute and not all that intelligent but he's uncertain of Russell who he claims just isn't up for the job.
as played by Henry Fonda. And Joe Cantwell as played by Cliff Robertson.
Both candidates some up the good qualities and the horrible qualities about the respective parties and their representatives as of the time.
Joe is a headstrong man. He's willing to use manipulation and even black male to get his way. Because he believes that the president has to be strong and has to take a stance against all the evils of the world. He needs to fight back against the mafia and communism and believes that his opponent Russell is the wrong kind of candidate for the job. Russell on the other hand is a more steadfast and honorary man. Believing firmly in the rules of proper play and to keep himself away from the realm of corruption. But he's indecisive and is known to have his own vices it's rumored that he's cheated on his wife he suffers of a mental breakdown the latter of which Joe wants to use as blackmail against him.
And in the middle of this presidential race is the former president played by Lee Tracy. His support for either candidate could easily push them over and give them the edge. But he doesn't like Joe thinks the man's a bit of a brute and not all that intelligent but he's uncertain of Russell who he claims just isn't up for the job.
And a deals of all the themes you'd expect to see out of a mid-1960s election film. Race politics, equality even a little bit of homosexuality. With each candidate having a varied opinion on how to deal with all the various topics. Including what they're actually planning to do behind closed doors. (Well that's more of a Joe thing) . Russell's pretty honest about what he means. What he says on the TV is what he means to do in Parliament.
It's kind of interesting to see some of the personification of real-life politicians betrayed in these characters. Joe is this strange hybrid Of Joe Kennedy and Richard Nixon. He has all the Showmanship and the youth of Kennedy but he's got that cunning underdog manipulation of Nixon.
Then there's Russell he's mainly a Lyndon Johnson character. Very liberal tries to be honest a bit older .but he's got this odd Goldwater undertone to him. That is to say he has the same mental instability of Goldwater*.
There's a bunch of Side characters I was debating discussing in this little blog. But they're all prominent at the beginning and start to peter out as the film goes on. Such as ''Ann Sothern'' she's this advisor for Russell who is very big on telling him about the woman's opinion on this that and the other. In reality I don't think she has a clue what the women actually wants and is only willing to use their 'stance'' as a way to elevate her own power.
This is another one of those problem films. At least for me, any time I watch a movie I think it's particularly good all I want to do is go out and tell other people that they should watch it. I don't want to do a full review of this film. I don't want to give away any of its interesting story arcs. I simply want to say that you should see it. And it's great if you're into Political dramas.
Harper's back to a time when the two political parties actually felt like individual entities. I've long stood by the opinion that both Democrats Republicans merged as one giant party sometime in the 80s. It's not that they're physically the same and they'll certainly fight each other on every little Bill that tries to get passed by the opposition. But their ways of operating and how they deal with problems and become one in the same. If you don't put that little R or little D next to your name than I can't tell who You Are. Even their finances come from the same people.
So I say it's definitely worth a watch. Even if you're not into the politics, the acting is solid and the pacing is surprisingly good for a movie that only takes place prominently in three or four rooms. With the exception of the ending involving a helicopter scene.
It's kind of interesting to see some of the personification of real-life politicians betrayed in these characters. Joe is this strange hybrid Of Joe Kennedy and Richard Nixon. He has all the Showmanship and the youth of Kennedy but he's got that cunning underdog manipulation of Nixon.
Then there's Russell he's mainly a Lyndon Johnson character. Very liberal tries to be honest a bit older .but he's got this odd Goldwater undertone to him. That is to say he has the same mental instability of Goldwater*.
There's a bunch of Side characters I was debating discussing in this little blog. But they're all prominent at the beginning and start to peter out as the film goes on. Such as ''Ann Sothern'' she's this advisor for Russell who is very big on telling him about the woman's opinion on this that and the other. In reality I don't think she has a clue what the women actually wants and is only willing to use their 'stance'' as a way to elevate her own power.
This is another one of those problem films. At least for me, any time I watch a movie I think it's particularly good all I want to do is go out and tell other people that they should watch it. I don't want to do a full review of this film. I don't want to give away any of its interesting story arcs. I simply want to say that you should see it. And it's great if you're into Political dramas.
Harper's back to a time when the two political parties actually felt like individual entities. I've long stood by the opinion that both Democrats Republicans merged as one giant party sometime in the 80s. It's not that they're physically the same and they'll certainly fight each other on every little Bill that tries to get passed by the opposition. But their ways of operating and how they deal with problems and become one in the same. If you don't put that little R or little D next to your name than I can't tell who You Are. Even their finances come from the same people.
So I say it's definitely worth a watch. Even if you're not into the politics, the acting is solid and the pacing is surprisingly good for a movie that only takes place prominently in three or four rooms. With the exception of the ending involving a helicopter scene.
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