The Candidate

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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 John O Spoilers: Proving yet again that every woman, and some men, in America would vote for Robert Redford for president. For life. Or longer. And he knows how to make a bundle on a good movie, like this one. It is politics in big terms and a stab at inside baseball that works even if it isn't verisimilitude. The broad strokes are Democrats even 50 years ago put people first, and Republicans put businessmen and other donors first. The scene in which McKay makes fun of his own repetitive speeches is played so well by Redford, complete with two Nixon-esque "V"ictory hand signs. It shows how personality can unwisely lead any considerations of policy in American politics then and now. The version I just watched cut the best line of the movie when Redford says to Peter Boyle, his veteran campaign manager, "I thought you told me I would lose." And Boyle says, "You did," as if being in the Senate is a loser's game. Did the powers that be lobby for that cut, too anti-establishment? The screenwriter won an Oscar and the documentary-style moving camera made the milieu seem real and full of energy, if not chaos. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/01/23 Full Review Steve D an inept, brainless, idealistic film that never convinces for a moment. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/18/23 Full Review Red T A Classic Pollical Drama Comedy. The acing is good across he board by the supporting cast but the real star is Robert Redford who gives a very well done performance. The cinematography is the best thing in this. It is shot in a documentary style with great gritty real shots and will switch to grand scale rallies and gatherings effortlessly. Despite the settings being normal and bland there is a huge variety of different locations in this as well that are all memorable. The music is the one weak spot here. It is a mix of patriotic/generic music score and it has an identity it never sounds memorable or catchy. The editing and pacing are very well done in this. The only complaints with those elements is the first 15 minutes can feel a bit uneven because your not sure if the Political consultant or McKay is the main character and it struggles to put a basic story together at times in a cohesive way. Also during the middle of the film while it is well done it can sometimes be a little to long. The Pacing over really is well done though as it is a slow but steady build up throughout. The comedy is very witty also and pretty much hit every time as well. This is a great character study in the changes of how candidates are elected, the value of electing officials, and asks just because someone wins an election does that make them a good politician also? Anyone who is a fan of political films, 70's films, Redford, or the director should give this a watch for sure. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Steve S Watch Redford as vacuous candidate as runs today and ever. These pols don't say anything but the same talking points over and over and over again. If the points sounds good, keep saying it. I'm almost surprised such a movie ever got made. Best scene: Redford in the back of a limo babbling and mixing up words as even he realizes how empty such words are. And of course the final scene: "what do we do now?" Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/13/21 Full Review Read all reviews

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