Serious Movie Lover

So before we get to election day, we here thought it might be good to a quick review of political movies.  There have been many great movies about politicians and the political process.  However, for our purposes here, we will look at two of the best.  One a true story while the other is fiction, each showing us the good and the bad that politics has to offer.

All The Presidents Men (1976)

Taken from the book by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from the investigation into Watergate, this movie creates one of the greatest achievements in all of cinema.  It makes an investigation into the government exciting and suspenseful.  Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden, Hal Holbrook, and Jason Robards turn in incredible performances.

There are two aspects of All The Presidents Men excel at.  The first is showing how investigative journalism and the inner workings of a major newspaper work.  While much is dramatized, most of the tension is created by the editor Benjamin Bradley being pressured by the Washington political system.  The second is how, beyond the two men investigating the Watergate break ins, a politician could become corrupt and those around him that would cover that up.

The investigation, book, and movie shook the confidence of all of America in their political system.  In addition, All the Presidents Men stands the test of time and still is a taught political thriller.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

The flip side of this coin is Capra’s version of Washington D.C.  The simplest way to summarize this movie is imagine a school kids that just finished taking his first U.S. History or Civics lessons.  Then put that brain in a grow man who is appointed to become a Senator for his home state.  Once in Washington D.C., he is shown the dark side of politics, but instead of giving in, he fights like a true believer would.  In turn, he instills faith and patriotism in his secretary and fellow Senator.  In the end, freedom triumphs over back door deals, and politicians seeking profit.

Capra gives us the idea of what we all wish out politicians would be in Mr. Smith, and all the while giving a standard view of politicians.  However in Capra fashion, one man can change it all.  Unlike All the Presidents Men, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington gives the viewer the feeling that everything will be all right because we have people like Mr. Smith out there loving freedom and want to protect it.  In addition, you get classic Jimmy Stewart ranting during his filibuster in only the way that Jimmy Stewart can.  In addition, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains deliver fantastic performances.

So there you go, one film to shake your faith and one to build it back up.  However, these do not compare to the drama of the debates and the coverage on the cable news networks.  However, soon we will have a movie about that, I mean there is already a TV show on HBO.