The Congressman

R

Released Apr 29, 2016

1 hr. 38 min.

Drama

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for The Congressman: Trailer 1

List

33%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

50%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Congressman Charlie Winship (Treat Williams) retreats to an island off the coast of Maine to escape an angry ex-wife and a scathing smear by the media. On the island, he tries to find his footing once again and get back to fighting the good fight.

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Audience Member

Bob Mrazek's brilliant 1st time feature film writing coupled with his first time film directorial position earned former US Congressman Robert Mrazek the AARP 2016 Movies for Grownups' Breakthrough Achievement Award for feature film "The Congressman" starring Treat Williams, Ryan Merriman, Elizabeth Marvel, George Hamilton, Fritz Weaver, Kim Blacklock, Jayne Atkinson, Chris Conroy, and Josh Mostel - all gathered by Casting Director Bess Fifer & outfitted by seasoned costume designer NIgel Boyd! Filmed 15 miles off the rocky coast of Maine in a brisk September of 2013 on the small Monhegan Island, the incredible crew had to make due with golf carts to schlepp all the equipment around due to the ban on cars or trucks from the island, while timing delivers from the only outside transportation, the ferry. Other-worldly cinematography by artist extraordinaire DP Joe Arciadiacono complimented by phenom Johanna Giebelhaus' film editing, & heroic props to legendary gaffer (& cinematographer/electrician) John Houston and stunt coordinator John Murdock, island lobsterboat Captain. 1st AD Stephen Burns held together a large crew in difficult sets with boom operator Joshua Byard, Nathan Trucks 1st Asst. camera, and Rachel Fedorkova camera p.a. and Kelly Tracy production coordinator standing out in the above & beyond committed film and production crew. Thanks to the veteran producers of Fred Roos & Mary Kane helping Exec. Producer Nancy Zises deliver a poignant beautiful statement to the world of just what it means to be American. RIP dear friend Jared Martin, co-Director, hailing from the original Hawai'i Five-O to lend his expertise on the raw ocean sets. A timeless film, even more apropos in April 2020, during the current malestrom of human life & death consequences due to political mis-behaviors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is so trite, its lack of authenticity and depth qualify it as a candidate for the Hallmark Channel slush of the week. I only gave it one star because of calling attention to over-fishing and the need to protect our oceans--but even there its dull earnestness is more worthy of a sneer than a star. Treat Williams is a decent actor, given the right kind of material, and here he almost lends a little dignity to the smarmy script and shallow characters around him. But the righteous attitude makes even worthy sentiments into hopeless cliches. Even the music is insufferable--like high-fructose syrup slathered onto a donut. I sat through maybe half of it before I decided enough time had been wasted on a film that was only growing more superficial and predictable by the minute.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wasn't horrible wasn't fabulous. It was an average movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

Another fine liberal hack job... Truly amazing what these people are willing to put out.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ok movie. Predictable plot, great scenery and characterizations.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Simple story but pleasant entertainment. Wonderful Maine scenery. Excellent casting. If I didn't already live here, it would make me want to move. Captured spirit of Maine people.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Jared Martin

Director

Robert Mrazek

Director

Treat Williams

Charlie Winship

Elizabeth Marvel

Rae Blanchard

Ryan Merriman

Jared Barnes

Jayne Atkinson

Casey Winship

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The Congressman: Trailer 1

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Martin Tsai

Los Angeles Times

Though sparklingly lush Maine locales compensate for the film's TV-movie aesthetics, the story never rises above small-screen niceties.

May 12, 2016

Full Review

Dan Gvozden

Village Voice

The Congressman's politics and morals are childishly simple, featuring archvillains suffering buffoonish pratfalls and love stories that start up abruptly and quickly fizzle.

Apr 27, 2016

Full Review

Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

So-so political drama has lots of strong language.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 29, 2016

Full Review

Prairie Miller

NewsBlaze

Mr. Smith Does Not Go To Washington. Hey, a dramatic film actually about something. In this case, Treat Williams does dismayed and dropping out of DC politics, as The Congressman. But first invoking Sen. Margaret Chase Smith denouncing McCarthy back then.

Jun 4, 2016

Full Review

Susan Granger

SSG Syndicate

Schmaltzy, simplistic and sincere - about "slowing down to the rhythm of the sea."

Rated: 6/10

May 17, 2016

Full Review

Frank Lovece

Film Journal International

This earnest political drama means well but deserves no votes for its stilted dialogue, poorly drawn characters and inept plotting and direction.

Apr 28, 2016

Full Review

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Synopsis

Congressman Charlie Winship (Treat Williams) retreats to an island off the coast of Maine to escape an angry ex-wife and a scathing smear by the media. On the island, he tries to find his footing once again and get back to fighting the good fight.

Director: Jared Martin, Robert Mrazek
Executive Producer: Nancy Zises
Screenwriter: Robert Mrazek
Distributor: Vision Films
Rating: R (Brief Sexual Material|Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 29, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2017

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