The Candidate (1972)

Michael Ritchie's 1972 drama about a political idealist (Robert Redford) recruited to make a run for the Senate is still engrossing and still a terribly accurate reflection of the contemporary campaign process. In one of his trademark roles as a man haunted by some shadow of inauthenticity (see Downhill Racer, The Natural, The Great Gatsby, Sneakers, and such), Redford is superb as a first-time candidate watching his values and control over his message disappear in the age of TV-friendly prefabrication. Peter Boyle is ideal as his clearheaded campaign manager, Allen Garfield is effectively creepy as a media strategist, and Melvyn Douglas makes a memorable appearance as a retired politico whose endorsement is gold. Highly recommended. The DVD release includes production notes, theatrical trailer, Dolby sound, and optional Spanish, French, and English subtitles. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com essential video

History Repeats

Since Kennedy and TV, marketing and the press do much to help elect our president. Image, TV presence, and passion (and money) seem to qualify our candidates for high office, as shown in this film. I commend the writers (and actors) for their political saavy in the production of this film. Could we not replace Redford with Obama? June 9, 2008

MITT ROMNEY?

Redford in his prime was hard to beat; on the screen or in this film. The California Democrats have no one to run against 3 term incumdent Crocker Jarman for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Redford reluclantly agrees, on the provision that he be allowed to be "his own man". Even his father, a former Republican Governor, refuses to endorse him at first. But Redford's good looks, his ability to simply address complicated problems, his political virginity are exacyly the issues that attract the voters. Enter the "experts", exit Redford's principles. He watches, almost helplessly,as his"friends" work for him, and on him on how to win, abeted by his father's background experiences. The candidate, exhausted by the grind, almost loses himself in giddyness, only to be saved by the authenticity of mass support. His eventual upset win leads to one of Hollywood's great movie one-liners. The paucity of reviews for this and other outstanding movies of the past, all indicate to me the seeming meaninglessness of history today.Too bad! Since the "victors" are always alleged to write it, why not investigate how the victors did it? February 23, 2008

All the Way with Bill McKay?

This is a fable about politics (like "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"). A young idealistic man [the son of a former governor!] meets a professional political worker. The present US Senator loves oil, hates trees, and raises regressive taxes Can a challenger with a name, looks, and popular appeal become a successful candidate? The present Senator is a "bloviator" who revises history in telling stories about the past. [Does he remind you of Reagan?] McKay decides to run as a challenger and answers questions from the press. The professionals start to help McKay. [They do not tell about the big money men who support this candidate.] Does Crocker Jarman have the right stuff for today?

There is a banquet for the candidates. Bill McKay makes a speech; he wants power for the people (but will not attack the corporations who hold power). There are topics about Vietnam, Red China, the environment, abortions. We see the candidate being prepared to answer questions. McKay visits people on the beach, the black ghetto, and meets people. He has charisma and wins in the primary. [No mention how the needed funds are raised; it's a good investment for some.] Now McKay must reach to those who can decide the general election. McKay promises "A Better Way" for the people of California. [Deliberately ambiguous?] This film explains how a campaign works. A brush fire allows a candidate to speak against policies, but the incumbent can make things happen. Is "mass transit" really a fix for placing people far away from their jobs?

There is a problem at home. Will his wife's outfit work to gain votes? Are candidates sold by television advertising? [Ever since 1952.] Ambiguous statements by candidates have been around since Andrew Jackson's time. The professionals have raised McKay's polls by 14 points, closing the gap. They rehearse McKay for his debate with Jarman. McKay says problems can be cured without raising taxes. [Is this still true?] McKay's closing remarks are extemporaneous. Can he cure poverty, unemployment, crime, and unhappiness? The head of the Teamster's Union endorses McKay; they each have something in common: support from the other. Why does California have high unemployment? McKay turns into a rhetorician, asking questions that have no answers but somehow sound good. A parade is scheduled for lunch hour so the streets will be filled with people. Cars are stopped at intersections to create a traffic jam. Election day arrives with projections and early returns. The vote slowly puts McKay in the lead, and he wins. McKay has become dependent on his advisors. What will he do now?

This film as a hit because it showed the scenes that are kept from the public in this story about politics. "The Selling of the President" pioneered this approach. A candidate tells the people what they want to hear, then cooperates with the special interests when he gets into office. People are fooled over and over, until the time when they form a political party that acts for their interests. Will they ever learn? Not if the corporate media can prevent it.
October 29, 2007

An interesting political drama with the star power of Redford

This movie pits an idealist first time liberal candidate against an incumbent windbag conservative. Robert Redford plays the liberal idealist (one of his easier roles to fit into). He is the son of a former governor.
The movie brought back memories of Jerry Brown (aka "governor moonbeam"). Jerry Brown was the son of former CA Governor Pat Brown. He served two terms as California Governor starting in 1975. His quirky liberal idealism more or less prevented him from attaining national office as either a U.S. Senator or U.S. President. Brown did a pretty good job as governor. He was fiscally responsible and did not run the state into the ground. His Supreme Court appointments alienated him with the voters (the Chief Justice and two other justices were recalled by the voters, including yours truly, because they would not enforce the death penalty).

If you have a cynical view of national politics, this movie will not dissuade you! It kind of reminds me of our corrupt judicial process (we have the best legal system that money can buy). Those who can utilize the media the most and the best are able to manipulate the voters and greatly enhance their chances of winning elections. By the end of the movie, Redford is no longer speaking strictly from his heart, but he is utilizing the hot button issues that resonate most with the voters. When elected his dad brands him a politician and Redford is left wondering, "what next."

The Candidate does not rise to the level of "All the President's Men," "Butch Cassidy," "The Sting," etc. Like Tiger Woods," Redford's "B" game is better than most. I do not think it has aged as well as most of his other movies. I saw most of his 1970s and 1980s movies at the theatre. One of my favorite Redford scenes is the river crossing in A Bridge Too Far. The Candidate has very little of that intensity. September 6, 2007

An All American Must See Movie

Take a good look at Bush, & you'll see The Candidate! Not as Bright as Redford though... February 15, 2007

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