Top Movies About Politics

Given that there's less than a week left until Americans decide who will be the new commander-in-chief, why don't we take a look at the political realm of film. Here are my picks for the top movies about politics. As if there isn't anything more important to talk about...

The Contender (2000)

In this ridiculously under seen film written and directed by Rod Lurie, the President of the United States (Jeff Bridges), in the wake of the Vice President's sudden death, is in search of the conformation of his replacement. He considers nominating popular Democrat and Governor of Virginia, Jack Hathaway (William Petersen). But, when Hathaway witnesses a car drive off a bridge, and attempts to save the driver and fails, the President is forced to backtrack, claiming his administration can't afford another Chappaquiddick. In an attempt to leave a legacy, the President decides to nominate talented female Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) as his vice president. Seemingly an ideal candidate, her personal life is attacked, and allegations arise about her past that could derail her conformation. She must contend with the committee chairman (Gary Oldman), a Republican, who leaks information to the press, using it as a forum to bring the discussion into the hearings. Hanson is left with a tough decision, and wonders if she should fight back, or stick to her principles and refuse to comment on the allegations.

The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Actress (Joan Allen), and Jeff Bridges (Supporting Actor). Allen is phenomenal as Senator Hanson, a role for which writer/director Rod Lurie wrote especially for Allen. All of a sudden the film has some contemporary relevance with the fact there is a chance a woman could be vice president come January. Although I think Laine Hanson would make a better vice president than Sarah Palin, but that's another discussion all together. Gary Oldman plays Sheldon Runyon, the conservative Republican who heads the attack on Hanson with stark ferocity, and he could have warranted a nomination as well. Mike Binder also gives a quality performance as Hanson's legal counsel. Bridges' President Jackson Evans is one of the most likeable commander-in-chiefs to be portrayed on screen (almost as good as Dennis Haysbert's President David Palmer on 24). He is a bowler, eats shark, and stands up for what's right, many of the qualities I look for in a presidential candidate.

Wag the Dog (1997)

This film stars Robert De Niro as a Washington spin-doctor, who is called in to distract the electorate and the American public from a Presidential sex scandal. He proceeded to hire a Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman), to construct a fake war with Albania. He also brings musician Willie Nelson into the scheme by having him create a theme song for the "war" they are entangled in.
The film, directed by Barry Levinson and written by David Mamet, explores serious political themes such as manipulation of the mass media and the public, but with a comic touch. It could be easily classified as a black comedy, but it's more a satire, mocking how easily the American people could be fooled.
The movie at first glance seems like it got quite a bit of influence from President Bill Clinton and the scandal that he was embroiled in. Chalk it up to bad timing, but the film began production before he got caught up in the scandal.
Hoffman based his producer character on Hollywood producer Robert Evans, and proceeded to get nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. The films screenplay also was nominated, which Mamet adapted from the book American Hero, by Larry Beinfest.
The film is a top-notch satire of American politics and our political system. What's scary is that it's filmed with enough realism to make it completely believable. The film has a top notch supporting cast, with Dennis Leary, Kirsten Dunst, William H. Macy and Woody Harrelson.
And be sure not to miss any of the songs created for the fictitious campaign, like "Good Ole Shoe", The American Dream", and "The Men of the 303."
Wag the Dog may....

Bulworth (1998)

Warren Beatty's Bulworth is a monumental commentary on the American political scene of the late 90's. Senator Jay Bulworth (Warren Beatty), once a rising liberal star, is running for reelection against a young, fierce opponent. His views, formed in the heyday of liberalism, have lost favor with voters and he has veered towards the right wing in an attempt to receive donations from conservatives. Amid all this Bulworth has found himself near the end of his rope. With defeat all but imminent, and no home life to speak of because himself and his wife had been having affairs for years, Bulworth pretty much says, "fuck it." He decides to commit suicide, so he negotiates a mammoth $10 million life insurance policy for his family in exchange for a favorable vote for the insurance industry. He takes out a contract on his own life, so he can have himself assassinated within two days time.
Realizing he is living on borrowed time, and his imminent death is before him, he suddenly starts speaking his mind in a completely unfiltered fashion, shocking everyone around him, and in doing so, totally alters his life. At a breakfast with big businessmen he tells them to screw the environment and the poor without worry. He gets involved with a woman from South Central Los Angeles (Halle Berry), and begins answering questions to the press in the form of raps. He has his chief aide (Oliver Platt) along for the ride, even though he has visions of political suicide.
"Bulworth" will definitely not be remembered as a great film, but it presents a good amount of political and social commentary. For the most part, it's through Beatty's Jay Bulworth stark, and honest speeches, but it also comes from Hale Berry's Nina, who comments about why there aren't any black leaders anymore. The film has a pretty solid supporting class with Platt, Don Cheadle, Isaiah Washington and Christine Baranski. Cheadle shines in the role as a drug kingpin, who justifies using kids to run drugs by saying that he is giving them money when they can't get an actual education in their low-grade public schools. He represents the logical extension of the absent leaders, using empowerment as the reason for being a hustler.
The screenplay, written by Warren Beatty, and Jeremy Pikser was nominated for an Academy Award, can be a bit outrageous at times but puts its point across.

Dave (1993)

This comedy film stars Kevin Kline as philandering and distant President Bill Mitchell, and also as Dave Kovic, a normal guy who runs a temp agency in Washington D.C. Although Dave resembles the President well enough to stand in for him at events he'd rather not attend, the two could not be less alike. The President has affairs, and supports those who helped get him into office rather than the people, while Dave is a nice guy who enjoys finding people jobs. The Secret Service uses Dave to stand in for the President at a luncheon, but when Mitchell has a severe stroke while having sex with one of his aides, Dave finds himself stuck in the role of commander in chief. Instead of having the Vice President assume the duty, Mitchell's corrupt chief of staff, Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) convinces Dave that it's in the country's best interests if he does not take over. What Dave doesn't know is that Alexander is secretly plotting to smear the Vice President into resigning so he can muscle his way to the Presidency. What Alexander doesn't expect is that Dave takes a liking to his new role as the most powerful man in the country. All of a sudden President Mitchell becomes likeable as Dave, who uses his new position to try to make the country a better place.
Sigourney Weaver also stars as the First Lady, who eventually suspects that her husband is not who he seems. Ving Rhames plays Dave's Secret Service bodyguard and Charles Grodin supports as his accountant friend. One of the more ridiculous, but still pretty funny moments come when Dave finds that he needs to reorganize the national budget. He takes on a challenge from Alexander by saving $650 million for a program for the homeless (which helps Dave win over the First Lady--a project she supported) using his CPA pal to find some ways to save.
Eventually everything comes to a head, but "Dave" is a warm, funny, quality comedy film that takes a lighter look at politics. Kevin Kline is his usual funny self, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in the movie.

Murder At 1600 (1997)

Okay I know what you're thinking, Wesley Snipes? But give this one a shot. In this action thriller Snipes plays Washington D.C. homicide detective Harlan Regis, who is called in to Pennsylvania Avenue after White House Secretary Carla Town is dead. While there he meets Secret Service Chief Nick Spikings, national security adviser (Alan Alda), and Secret Service agent Nina Chance (Diane Lane). Regis eventually realizes this is no typical investigation, and this is no typical murder. As he keeps running into dead ends due to the Secret Service, he finds help in Agent Chance. Diane Lane plays the role as an uptight, by the book agent perfectly, and she eventually breaks a few rules helping Regis along the way. All the while, a hostage scandal in Korea threatens the President's status as commander in chief.
Regis is convinced that a cover up has taken place, he enlists Agent Chance, and the two search for answers to who is behind the conspiracy and why. Snipes doesn't quite play the "tough cop" all that well, but as Regis who is a Civil War buff, he brings a quiet intellect to the role. Alan Alda does a good job as Nation Security Adviser and Dennis Miller plays Snipes' cynical but quick-witted partner, while Tate Donovan of The O.C. fame plays the President's son. For what it is, a police murder mystery thriller, the movie fulfills its goal. While it won't be remembered as one of the greats, when it's on TNT on a rainy Saturday afternoon, it’s absolutely worth a watch.

Air Force One (1997)

Probably the most badass of any onscreen President, Harrison Ford's James Marshall could probably even kick John McCain's Maverick ass. The President of the United States travels to Russia and tells the world in a speech that he will not negotiate with terrorists. But as Air Force One departs from the Kremlin, a group of neo-conservative terrorists disguised as newspaper reporters infiltrate the plane and hijack it. Led by Gary Oldman, the terrorists believe that the President has escaped in a pod, but he is really still on board, and he is a former Medal of Honor winner. The terrorists threaten too kill one hostage per hour until their demands are met. Among the hostages are the President's wife and daughter, the White House Chief of Staff, National Security Adviser and Military Adviser. On the ground in Washington, Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) and Secretary of Defense Walter Dean (Dean Stockwell), assess the situation. When they find that the President did not escape on the pod, they fear he could be one of the hostages, or perhaps even dead.
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, "Air Force One" is a great action film full of excitement. If you've never seen it before it'll be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Harrison Ford is fierce and valiant as President Marshall, while Glenn Close marvels as Marshall's right hand woman (I'm seeing a recurring theme here). Gary Oldman, does a hell of a job as the head terrorist. He has been able to be such a fine actor over his career ranging from such roles as Sid Vicious to Lt. Jim Gordon in this past summer's Dark Knight. William H. Macy and Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap anyone??) put in fine acting performances while Xander Berkeley is almost too serious as the Secret Service agent gone rogue.
Have we ever had a President with such a right hook?
Air Force One is a definite must see, a great movie filled with good acting, good special effects and great action.

Honorable Mention: First Kid (Sinbad + White House?..how could it go wrong?)