The Candidate (1972)

Magnum's review-

I've been meaning to check this movie out for a long time as part of research for our EvansAmerica show. The film stars Robert Redford and was made to coincide with the '72 Presidential election campaign. The film follows Peter Boyle who plays Marvin Lucas a Democratic strategist who recruits Bill McKay (Redford), the son of a legendary California politician, to run for the Senate. The film is less an inspirational underdog story and more of a unflattering portrayal of the mechanics of politics.

Summary out of the way I have to say I found myself underwhelmed throughout the whole film. While alot of the scenes were amusing, that's about as good as it gets. You never connect with any of the characters because everyone in the film on both sides of the political aisle come off as self absorbed, cold figures who are cogs in the political machine, who sleepwalk through the motions. Not even McKay seems passionate about what he's doing, even though he starts out saying he's going to run his campaign as part of a crusade for the truth, talking about the issues he wants to. By the end he's spewing the same one liners like the rest of them with no heart. There's a scene towards the end where McKay is in the back of the car mocking himself and his speeches, his driver thinks he's lost his mind as McKay tilts his head down, his eyes growing dark and gives the Nixon 'peace' pose. I'm sure that killed with liberals back in '72.

Now the satire and the inside look at the political machine was a very bold choice for this film. Rather than go with the uplifting everything works out for the hero movie, this had guts, it was unique. And that is what I did like about it, however I think it was more effective for its time. Remember this movie came out pre-Watergate, before the nation lost faith in its officials and reporters starting uncovering the corruption in the beltway. I think that cynical look at government is still just as strong now, which is why the impact of this movie just didn't work on me. Politicians are corrupt, they make broad statements, they don't care about much more than their own personal gain and making friends with whoever will get them elected again. What's new? Seen it. Living it. That was the overall theme the filmmakers weren't shy about, you claw and fight so hard to win, losing yourself and your ideals in the process and then once you win, what then? Redford's last line of the film sums it up, he's in a back room of the campaign's hotel. The crowd is chanting for him and Boyle is smiling but Redford is shell shocked, he barely is able to mutter some simple words, "What do we do now Marvin, what do we do now?" That's a pretty damn good ending.

Magnum's grade: B (85)