An Unreasonable Man

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An Unreasonable Man

2006

2h 38m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Filmmakers Henriette Mantel and Steve Krovan examine the notable career of activist and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Using a blend of archival film footage and interviews, they chronicle his many accomplishments as well as his controversial bids for the presidency in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Critics Consensus

A compelling documentary that humanizes the controversial, polarizing politician.

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Jonathan F. Richards

Film.com

This fascinating documentary examines the issues raised by Nader's runs for the presidency...that shone a powerful light into our grubby political shadows, and also played a part...that twice put George W. Bush into the White House.

May 2, 2007

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Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

It can't help but remind us that the man Nader prevented from becoming president has since been more instrumental in the war on environmental pollution than any other public figure. Irony abounds.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 20, 2007

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Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

You may walk away from it still wondering why Nader persisted in running for president in 2004 after being repeatedly begged not to. But, whether or not you admire the decision, the film forces you to admire the determination with which Nader made it.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 7, 2007

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

George Bernard Shaw once noted that it would take an unreasonable man to change the world. Love him or hate him, Ralph Nader is an unreasonable man.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 26, 2020

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

Mantel's wonderful new Nader film, An Unreasonable Man is never able to crack the mystery of Nader's own ascetic life, although hairpins are dropped.

May 21, 2020

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

An Unreasonable Man may not convince Nader's critics... but it remains a worthwhile examination of another side to a commonplace perception of Nader.

Jan 29, 2020

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Audience Member

This film is historically thorough and responsible. It presents a detailed and interesting history of Nader's consumer-protection activism in the 1960s-1970s, which of course has been overshadowed by later events. What I most appreciate about the film, though, is how it handles the highly charged questions surrounding the effects of Nader's presidential runs in 2000 and 2004, e.g., Did Nader really "sabotage" the democrats, and did Nader sully his own legacy. The film has very intelligent and articulate people express their opinions on these questions, and you, the viewer, are allowed your own oponion. Whether you like Nader or not, this is a highly intelligent and provocative film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

While it was interesting enough, the length seems to lend to the obvious slide from a review of the subterranean political and industrial workings to a glorified, one-sided praise of one man. It would have been greatly improved with the inclusion of opposition interviews, or at least some data on the questionable or even anything-but-saintly of a political attempt.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

An interesting enough view into this man's live and practices, but not interesting enough to vault it to "great doc" status.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

I never really knew a whole lot about Nader, except for the Corvair stuff, so this documentary was a real eye opener. I also appreciated how it revealed the challenges a third party candidate faces against the corporate parties. A lot of food for thought!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

this guy rocks!!! he should be a president.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

really, eye opening. well rounded view of an interesting guy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Henriette Mantel

Director

Steve Skrovan

Director

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Synopsis

Filmmakers Henriette Mantel and Steve Krovan examine the notable career of activist and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Using a blend of archival film footage and interviews, they chronicle his many accomplishments as well as his controversial bids for the presidency in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Director: Henriette Mantel, Steve Skrovan
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jan 31, 2007
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $175.2K
Runtime: 2h 38m

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