Rated R - Republicans in Hollywood (2004)

Do politics matter in Hollywood? Does Hollywood matter in politics? And either way, has "Movie City" really become as left-wing as we all think? The AMC Project presents RATED R: REPUBLICANS IN HOLLYWOOD, a slyly provocative and revelatory exposé on the myths behind "liberal Hollywood" and the stigmas attached with being in its conservative contingent. Intelligently directed by former Democratic speechwriter Jesse Moss (the award-winning filmmaker behind Speedo), RATED R explores the repercussions made by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful political campaign as a Republican governor, Mel Gibson’s unapologetically Christian blockbuster The Passion of The Christ, and the debates over "patriotism" spawned by the war in Iraq. Do outspoken celebrity activists like Susan Sarandon, Barbara Streisand, and Martin Sheen--who rally for progressive causes and Democratic candidates--unintentionally create the illusion that La-La-Land only leans to the left? Featuring interviews with admitted conservatives Drew Carey, Pat Sajak ("Wheel of Fortune"), Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Ben Stein ("Win Ben Stein’s Money"), director John Milius (Red Dawn)--and rather shockingly--incendiary actor-auteur Vincent Gallo (The Brown Bunny), RATED R challenges viewers to re-think what they know about show-biz ideologies. DVD Features: Deleted Scenes; Interview Outtakes; Original Trailer; Filmmaker Audio Interview from NPR’s Leonard Lopate Show; Filmmaker Biography; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Fair and Balanced

I Tivo'd this off the AMC channel mostly because I've imagined that being a Republican in Hollywood has got to be awkward. I've always wondered at how famous Hollywood personalities often feel compelled to try and make very liberal views seem mainstream, while suggesting conservative views are wacko. Ben Stein pretty much said this during this documentary.

I especially liked the five minutes of time respectfully given to the Act One group of screenwriters that hold to Christian views. Barbara Nicolosi and Dean Batali were featured in that segment, talking about how they can bring hope and uplifting messages to television and film.

Patricia Heaton relates how she was at a party and everyone was bashing the president. She finally piped up and said that she liked Bush and that both she and her husband voted for him. Speaking of the aghast looks she got, she says "It was like I crapped on the table or something."

Imagine my surprise when the writer/director of this documentary, Jesse Moss, stated that he was a democrat who disagreed with the viewpoints of those he interviewed, but found that he generally liked the folks he interviewed (Drew Carey, Patricia Heaton, Ben Stein, John Milius, etc.).

Finally, a Hollywood documentary worthy of being called Fair and Balanced. May 26, 2006

Watch the Movie Before Writing Presumptuous, Uninformed Reviews

This remains one of the better and, fittingly, more entertaining political documentaries around. Moss investigates Hollywood's Republican counterculture with respect and aplomb without playing partisan favorites.

Note: the scathing user reviews here seem to be written by people who have not actually watched the film. April 28, 2006

A Note From the Filmmaker

Since I'm biased, I wont offer a review, but I will point out that TV critics around the country have described the film as "entertaining" (Miami Herald), "fair and balanced" (Seattle Post Intelligencer), "well mannered" (New York Post) and "an interesting, honest documentary" (New York Sun). December 16, 2005

Why oh Why Do Liberals keep doing this.

Why does our childrens political views have to agree with "Liberal Hollywood". I think that children have the right agree with any party Republican or Democrat. We should not be forced to agree with the "Hollywood Liberal Snob Democrats" I don't have to agree with Sen. Boxer or "Teddy". Why do you make it seem that the republicans always are at fault. That is not true. Make a movie about Truth and not about Lies. October 15, 2005

A parent's worst nightmare

Every parent fears their child will one day come out of the closet and announce that he or she is a Republican. We count on liberal Hollywood to set our kids straight. If Toby Maguire is a liberal then it will encourage little Bobby and Sue to be one as well. Unfortunately, there are those in Hollywood who stray from the norm and vote GOP. These people are trying to corrupt our children. Fortunately, celebs like Drew Carey aren't very well liked. Children are our future so, please, protect them from the likes of Pat Sajak. September 25, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...