The Front Runner

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2:18

The Front Runner

R

2018

1h 53m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

229 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Gary Hart, former senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.

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Critics Consensus

The Front Runner exhumes the wreckage of a political campaign with well-acted wit, even if it neglects to truly analyze the issues it raises.

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

The Front Runner's timidity extends even to the portrayal of Hart himself... the film instead allows him to recede into the background, leaving Jackman and his trademark charisma with very little to do.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 10, 2020

Full Review

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Most fascinating is the film's subtext that the blame for our present cultural morass doesn't rest solely with politicians or the media; in a way, they're only gladiators, thrashing to amuse an enervated citizenry that demands entertainment 24/7.

Feb 22, 2020

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

The Front Runner is commendably even-handed in its portrayal of both the political system and the fourth estate. And Jackman's commanding performance should be required viewing.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 2, 2019

Full Review

Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

It has all the pieces necessary to make a fascinating biopic on an intriguing individual. But, it’s all narrative over analysis, and the analysis presented isn’t that deep or as well thought out as it should’ve been.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 14, 2024

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the movie boasts terrific work from a thoroughly impressive roster of players...

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 4, 2023

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Why has a film that is so focused on driving home the failings of the media come during the current administration’s effort to silence it? Entertaining, uneven, and questionable.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 17, 2022

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keven q

A bit after the fact historical political bio event. It's good and Hugh is always the best. Hart, unfortunately, was kinda boring as a person. Smart but not in tune to the zeitgeist of the people or their motivations. It's worth a watch and I'll keep just for Jackman but it's not exactly enthralling cinema.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/17/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

Full Review

J. A

The sympathetic tone of this film screams: "it should be okay when democrats do it". Skip this indulgent pablum.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

Full Review

Gareth v

Nothing great. Comes across at times as if it's just going through the motions despite Jackman's best efforts.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

meredith w

The acting is fine and the movie well-made, but there isn't a lot to it, meaning that even not knowing anything about its true-story subject matter of the scandal that derailed US presidential hopeful Gary Hart's campaign, it is difficult to feel interested or invested.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

James K

Well-acted, decently scripted, and yet the film never deeply probes or is as grippingly biting as it should be.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/22/22

Full Review

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Jason Reitman

Director

Hugh Jackman

Gary Hart

Vera Farmiga

Lee Hart

J.K. Simmons

Bill Dixon

Alfred Molina

Ben Bradlee

Mamoudou Athie

AJ Parker

The Front Runner: Official Clip - This is Beneath You

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The Front Runner: Official Clip - Have You Ever Committed Adultery?

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The Front Runner: Official Clip - Feel Stupid for a While

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The Front Runner: Official Clip - Too Much Time With an Unmarried Woman

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The Front Runner: Official Clip - Can You Ever Forgive Me?

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The Front Runner: Official Clip - Hunters and the Hunted

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The Front Runner: Official Clip - The Other Woman

2:04

The Front Runner: Official Clip - Ambushed in the Alley

2:44

The Front Runner: Official Clip - It's Time to Go Home

2:36

The Front Runner: Official Clip - It's Not Going to Blow Over

2:43

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Synopsis

Gary Hart, former senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.

Director: Jason Reitman
Producer: Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook, Aaron L. Gilbert
Screenwriter: Matt Bai, Jay Carson, Jason Reitman
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Stage 6
Production Co: Right of Way Films, Stage 6 Films, BRON Studios
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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