Gary Hart saga hits theatre
The American midterms are finally over (or are they?). I am flabbergasted to note the interest and amount of coverage in the news — I feel like U.S. politics is all that anybody has been talking about for the past month.
Canada’s fascination with American politics really surprises me. It seems like everyone is an expert, and everyone has an opinion (you do know what they say about opinions!). Why the fascination? Perhaps it is our proximity to the border, but more likely it is the instant electronic medium that brings the world to us 24/7. ✦not I digress, as this is
an article about politics — I know better than that! But it is about a movie that I feel will be of interest to the viewing community, a political drama based on true events from 30 years ago in the United States.
“The Front Runner,” opening Friday, tells the compelling story of American Senator Gary Hart’s derailed presidential campaign in 1988 due to a scandalous love affair (sounds familiar!). This film sports an amazing cast including Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga and J.K. Simmons. It is rated 14A, with a coarse language warning. It is 113 minutes in length, and will show daily at 1, 4, 6:45 and 9:30 p.m.
“Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman stars as the charismatic politician Gary Hart for Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman in the new thrilling drama ‘The Front Runner.’ The film follows the rise and fall of senator Hart, who captured the imagination of young voters and was considered the overwhelming front runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice. As tabloid journalism and political journalism merged for the first time, senator Hart was forced to drop out of the race — events that left a profound and lasting impact on American politics and the world stage.” — Sony Pictures.
This film is based on the book “All the Truth is Out” by Matt Bai. It begins in 1984 when Hart loses the Democrat party nomination to Walter Mondale, who went on to lose the national election to Ronald Reagan. It then picks up as the 1988 campaign is underway and Hart is the party frontrunner, and some say the candidate most likely to win the presidency. Great performances from great actors truly bring this story to light.
The director, Jason Reitman, has delivered several entertaining stories in recent years. Some of his best work includes the films “Thank you for Smoking,” “Juno,” “Up in the Air” and most recently the underappreciated film “Tully.” I hope that you will find time during this busy time of year to take the opportunity to be both entertained and educated at the same time. See you at the movie theatre! Please feel free to contact me with your comments or feedback — even an idea for an article — len@moviemill.com.