Films about presidential elections often delve into the high-stakes drama, political intrigue, and the behind-the-scenes machinations that surround the process of electing the leader of a nation. These films explore themes of power, ambition, morality, and the impact of political campaigns on individuals and society as a whole. They offer a captivating insight into the complexities of the electoral process and the personal and professional sacrifices made by those involved.
“The Ides of March”, 2011
Director: George Clooney
This film follows an idealistic press secretary who gets caught up in the dirty world of politics during a hotly contested presidential primary. It explores the ethical dilemmas and moral compromises that come with working on a political campaign.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Max Minghella, Jennifer Ehle, Gregory Itzin, Michael Mantell, Yuriy Sardarov, Bella Ivory, Maya Sayre, Danny Mooney, John Manfredi, Robert Mervak, Fabio Polanco, Frank Jones Jr., Peter Harpen, Rohn Thomas, David McConnell, Mark Stacey White, Lauren Wainwright, Kris Reilly, Michael Ellison, Hayley Meyers, Leslie McCurdy, Robert Braun, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Charlie Rose, Deb Dixon, Neal Anthony Rubin, Loretta Higgins, Joseph Dinda, John Repulski, Cherie Bowman, Chyla Anderson, Maxi Anderson, Nelson Beato, Johnny Britt, Alvin Chea, Carmen Carter, Christopher Carter, Carmel Echols, Clydine Jackson, Amy Keys, Lori Perry, Josef Powell;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“The Candidate”, 1972
Director: Michael Ritchie
A satirical drama that follows the campaign of an idealistic young lawyer as he runs for the U.S. Senate. As the campaign progresses, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the political process and the compromises he must make to win.
Starring: Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Melvyn Douglas, Don Porter, Allen Garfield, Karen Carlson, Quinn K. Redeker, Morgan Upton, Michael Lerner, Kenneth Tobey, Christopher Pray, Joe Miksak, Jenny Sullivan, Tom Dahlgren, Gerald Hiken, Leslie Allen, Jason Goodrow, Robert De Anda, Robert Goldsby, Mike Barnicle, Lois Foraker, David Moody, George Meyer, Dudley Knight, Fred L. Van Amburg, Richard Bergholtz, Jesse Birnbaum, Ken Cory, Alan Cranston, Judy Fayard, Maury Green, Cedrick Hardman, Hubert H. Humphrey, Fred Harris, Lu Hurley, Ken Jones, Walter Karabian, Grover Lewis, George McGovern, Terence McGovern, Robert Moretti, Harvey Orkin, Rollin Post, Howard K. Smith, Bill Stout, Barry Sullivan, John V. Tunney, Jerome Waldie, Dick Whittington, Natalie Wood;
Production year: 1972;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Candidate” on the website imdb.com
“Wag the Dog”, 1997
Director: Barry Levinson
This dark comedy revolves around a political strategist and a Hollywood producer who collaborate to fabricate a war in order to distract the public from a presidential sex scandal. The film satirizes the manipulation of media and public opinion in the context of a presidential election.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson, Denis Leary, Willie Nelson, Andrea Martin, Michael Belson, Suzanne Cryer, John Michael Higgins, Suzie Plakson, Kirsten Dunst, Jason Cottle, David Koechner, Harland Williams, Sean Masterson, William H. Macy, Bernard Hocke, Jenna Byrne, Maurice Woods, Roebuck «Pops» Staples, Phil Morris, Chris Ellis, Ed Morgan, J. Patrick McCormack, Jennifer Manley, Edrie Warner, Richard Lawson, Drena De Niro, Alberto Vazquez, Stephanie Kemp, Jack Esformes, John Cho, Michael Reid Davis, Brant Cotton, Kenneth Kern, Michelle Levinson, Ron McCoy, Derek Morgan, Garry R. Roleder, Merle Haggard, James Belushi, George Gaynes, Rick Scarry, Cliff B. Howard, Furley Lumpkin, Sean Fenton, Nikki Crawford, John Franklin, Kevin Furlong;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Wag the Dog” on the website imdb.com
“Primary Colors”, 1998
Director: Mike Nichols
Based on the novel by Joe Klein, this film provides a fictionalized account of the 1992 presidential campaign of a Southern governor and his struggles with ethical dilemmas, personal scandals, and the cutthroat world of politics.
Starring: John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Adrian Lester, Maura Tierney, Larry Hagman, Diane Ladd, Paul Guilfoyle, Rebecca Walker, Caroline Aaron, Tommy Hollis, Rob Reiner, Ben Jones, J.C. Quinn, Allison Janney, Robert Klein, Mykelti Williamson, James Denton, Leontine Guilliard, Monique Ridge-Williams, Ned Eisenberg, Brian Markinson, Geraldo Rivera, Charlie Rose, Larry King, O'Neal Compton, Kevin Cooney, Bonnie Bartlett, Cynthia O'Neal, Chelcie Ross, John Vargas, Tony Shalhoub, Bianca Lawson, Robert Cicchini, William Stanford Davis, Harrison Young, Rolando Molina, Ross Benjamin, Stacy Edwards, Kristoffer Ryan Winters, Susan Kussman, Vickilyn Reynolds, Robert Symonds, Gia Carides, Robert Easton, Scott Burkholder, Bill Maher, Lu Elrod;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 143 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Primary Colors” on the website imdb.com
“The Manchurian Candidate”, 2004
Director: Jonathan Demme
This classic political thriller follows the story of a Korean War veteran who discovers a sinister political conspiracy while investigating the sudden behavioral changes in his fellow soldiers. The film explores themes of manipulation, power, and the influence of external forces on the political landscape.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Wright, Jon Voight, Kimberly Elise, Bruno Ganz, Simon McBurney, Pablo Schreiber, Anthony Mackie, Dorian Missick, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Teddy Dunn, Joaquin Perez-Campbell, Tim Artz, Robyn Hitchcock, Antoine Taylor, Joe Alessi, Raymond Anthony Thomas, Bill Irwin, Al Franken, Paul Lazar, Danny Darst, Stephanie McBride, Molly Hickok, Victoria Haynes, Adam LeFevre, Roger Corman, Leona E. Sondreal, Zeljko Ivanek, Jim Roche, Ann Dowd, Obba Babatundé, Harry Northup, James B. Howard, Walter Mosley, Gordon Brummer, Gayle King, Brad Holbrook, Stacey Newsome Santiago, Kristen Shaughnessy, Prue Lewarne, Forrest Sawyer, Ukee Washington, Ed Crane, Kaity Tong, Roma Torre, William Meisle, Dan Olmstead, Sakina Jaffrey;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective, science fiction;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “The Manchurian Candidate” on the website imdb.com
These films offer a diverse range of perspectives on presidential elections, showcasing the triumphs, tragedies, and moral complexities that often accompany the pursuit of the highest office in the land.
In conclusion, films about presidential elections serve as both a mirror and a magnifying glass, reflecting the complexities of political ambition, the moral dilemmas of leadership, and the often tumultuous relationship between candidates and the electorate. These cinematic explorations not only entertain but also provoke critical thought about the democratic process, the impact of media, and the personal sacrifices made for public office. Whether through dramatizations of historical events or fictional narratives that capture the essence of electoral battles, these films remind us of the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of politics and the enduring quest for change in society. As we engage with these narratives, we are encouraged to reflect on the real-world implications of our choices at the ballot box.
