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An Unreasonable Man

Play trailer Poster for An Unreasonable Man 2006 2h 38m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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An Unreasonable Man

An Unreasonable Man

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Critics Consensus

A compelling documentary that humanizes the controversial, polarizing politician.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan F. Richards Film.com 05/02/2007
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. Go to Full Review
Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press 04/20/2007
3/4
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. Go to Full Review
Moira MacDonald Seattle Times 04/07/2007
3/4
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. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/26/2020
3.0/4.0
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. Go to Full Review
David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 05/21/2020
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. Go to Full Review
Felicia Feaster Creative Loafing 01/29/2020
An Unreasonable Man may not convince Nader's critics... but it remains a worthwhile examination of another side to a commonplace perception of Nader. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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07/02/2018 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. See more 02/26/2014 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. See more 01/22/2013 An interesting enough view into this man's live and practices, but not interesting enough to vault it to "great doc" status. See more 09/19/2012 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! See more 05/27/2012 this guy rocks!!! he should be a president. See more 05/15/2012 really, eye opening. well rounded view of an interesting guy. See more Read all reviews
An Unreasonable Man

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Kevin O'Donnell
Screenwriter
Henriette Mantel, Steve Skrovan
Production Co
Submarine Entertainment
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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