The Candidate

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Shaun G Billed as a comedy or at least a satire, I felt the movie played itself too straight to come across as either. Perhaps the reality of modern politics has rubbed the satirical edge off of this 70s look at politics. Redford is likeable enough, but there were no 'laugh' moments, I felt it was too straight for comedy and not enough substance to be gripping. I watched the movie in small bursts to get through it. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/21/25 Full Review Matheus F I love the script of this movie and the performances of Redford and Boyle. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/25 Full Review Audience Member Fell asleep towards the end. Also, how little has changed in our politics. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/24/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/16/25 Full Review Ed . Nepo baby eeks victory over professional politician. The Candidate is the first film to portray a political campaign in the ‘modern’ era, i.e., color television. Robert Redford's understated performance of a slow descent from idealism to jaded politician is fine. The Candidate grows more anodyne as his polls rise. The film quietly shows a Gary Hart moment where a female groupie exits the Candidate’s hotel room seconds before he does, all while Peter Boyle’s campaign manager looks on. There’s no comment or even any nonverbal acknowledgement of this, and it first gave me the impression that this may have been due to a cut on the editing table. However, I believe this is further evidence of the Candidate’s moral compass succumbing to power and opportunity. There's no resorting to either hero worship a la The American President or to demonization of the opponent, apparently named after the now defunct Crocker Bank. While I enjoyed this film, I have a couple of questions and a comment: (1) Why was Redford’s character so naïve about the campaign trail considering his father was an esteemed former Governor of the State? (2) It’s a general rule that the polls tighten during a long campaign, especially when an unknown candidate gets more attention and becomes more known. Many voters go from undecided to their party’s candidate. That this was not mentioned at all is curious. My comment: That Parade Magazine photographer was waaaay out of line with his joking comment to the Candidate that he was having an affair with his wife. I would have thrown the guy out of my house. While this joke was not suggested by the wife, she showed indignation and was upset by her husband’s displeasure. Perhaps this is a subtle hint of the status of their marriage. I would have found this unacceptable. Then again, I would not have brought the campaign wench to my room either. Great performances by Redford, Boyle, Don Porter as the Incumbent, and the one and only Melvyn Douglas. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z One of the best political movies ever, Superior, knowing satire, So many moments ring true, Stuff that is still relevant today, Anchored by Redford, in one of his best roles, Supported by magnetic, Peter Boyle and a fine supporting cast, I like that a lot of the movie is done almost documentary style, But still has cinematic themes, as visually, we can see Redford being literally overwhelmed by the scope of the campaign as movie progresses, Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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