Rating: 
Summary: "The Better Way??!"
Review: "The Candidate" is liberal Hollywood's wet dream of the "realities" of a political campaign.Robert Redford (looking purposely Kennedyesque) is Bill McKay, a young crusading liberal attorney who's persuaded by political operative Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle in a terrific performance) to run for the U.S. Senate against conservative Republican icon, Crocker Jarmon (even the name shows what a stacked deck the picture is), played by 50's TV sitcom star, Don Porter. Handsome and hip McKay is depicted as pro busing, pro welfare and pro choice...while stodgy old Jarmon is shown mouthing tired old conservative attitudes about Americans working hard and picking themselves up by their own bootstraps. The cast is uniformly excellent, especailly the great Allen Garfield as Mc Kay's media consultant whose shtick is breaking bags of lollipops with a hammer and sucking on the smashed pieces. Redford gives a slyly appealing movie star performance and is especially superb in one scene in which, completely burned out from campaigning, begins to satirize the platitudes his speechwriters have given him ("when the greatest country in the world can't feed the foodless!"). One wonders what kind of movie "The Candidate" would have been if Mc Kay's opponent was as equally young and hip and spoke with the same fervor as McKay without the tired old right wing cliches. Michael Ritchie directs in docudrama style from a script by Jeremly Larner who suposedly based the material on the Tunney-Murphy campaign in California.
Rating: 
Summary: Political Realism Presented Entertainingly
Review: "The Candidate" was released in the appropriate year of 1972, when Richard Nixon was reelected, using the media to present himself as a solid, trusted leader who was being challenged by liberal elitists operating in concert with the Eastern media establishment. When the full force of Watergate buried Nixon in scandal shortly thereafter, resulting in his resignation in 1974, the messages presented in "The Candidate" became all the clearer as Nixon's hollow facade lay fully exposed. Jeremy Larner, a former speechwriter for presidential candidate Senator Eugene McCarthy in 1968, used his political savvy to craft a script based on the realism of campaigning in the television age, in which, to use Marshall McLuhan's apt phrase, "the medium is the message." Larner copped a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for his effort. Robert Redford plays Bill McKay, who runs a poverty law center and has no ambitions to seek political office. He is urged to do so as the Democrats in California seek an opponent for a solidly entrenched incumbent U.S. Senator played by Don Porter. Redford, whose father, played by Melvyn Douglas, is a former California governor, agrees to run after being told that he can address topics on his own terms. The idea is that he is expected to make a decent run but is not expected to win. Redford articulates ideas near and dear to him that are not embraced by the broad spectrum of California voters. When he runs poorly in the primary, however, he is informed that he needs to make changes or risk being humiliated in the general election by Porter, a prospect he does not relish. Redford's ensuing frequent turnabouts on major issues make him anything but the refreshingly candid candidate he sought to become. As the polls close and there is possible light at the end of the long campaign tunnel, Redford becomes more of a blurry media creation and loses the old image of refreshingly solid commitment he had previously displayed. Eventually Redford upsets Porter. By the time the long race ends he is immersed in a total blur. The film's closing line is a gem. After winning the race Redford, seated in his hotel room with his campaign staff, asks, "What do we do now?" "The Candidate" was one of director Michael Ritchie's finest efforts. The pacing becomes gradually stepped up as the campaign moves into its important stretch run. By the end the viewer is immersed in the same kind of non-stop, frenzied blur as are the candidates and their staffs, providing a graphic display of political realism via the camera's all-seeing eye.
Rating: 
Summary: "The Candidate".....
Review: "The Candidate", and Academy Award winning portrayal of the race for the U.S Senate seat in California, was written in 1972 by cheif strategist and speech writer for Eugene McCarthy's 1968 bid for Democratic presidential nomination, Jeremy Larner. Bill McKay, played by Robert Redford, is a young lawyer, husband, and son of an ex-governor. Drawn to the chance to say what he wants, do what he wants, and go where he wants, McKay joins the race, to lose. But the whole thing goes farthur than McKay ever expected, and everything he worked for becomes everything he wants and has dreaded at the same time. One interesting point in the movie was a statement that Mill McKay's father made to his son after the winner of the election was announced: "Now you're a politician, Son." One might ask: What exactly defines a politician? Is a politician simply someone who wins a political election? Or does it symbolize what one goes through in politics? Through the campaign, McKay finds that politics involve much more than he had bargained for. McKay probably never imagined that he would end up sacrificing his reasons for going into the election in the first place, for meaningless campaign words and marital unfaithfulness. In the beginning, Bill McKay stubbornly supports and speaks about issues that matter the most to him. He heads to beaches that he hung out on in his youth to talk to young people who crowd them now. He discusses environmental awareness, pollution, and government aid for the poor. But by the end of the election, McKay objects less and less to interference in his statements, and seems to lose some of his zeal about "his" election. Although he started the race with strong determination to have his position heard, he subconsiously loses much of it when he learns he has a chance to win. Bill mcKay seems to be well on his way to ending up like his father: divorced, but not single, and a former politician. Playing the part of election candidate seems to come easy as well. Shaking hands and pretending to be interested, caring, and knowledgeable about each eager supporter, McKay takes on the look of an up and coming Croker jarmon. Is this what being a politician is all about? Another point of interest in this movie, is the "image manipulation" that Bill McKay goes through during the movie. At the beginning, McKay is a successful lawyer, happy family man, and probably in his 30's. But through the election, he is portrayed as a little boy and secondary to his father, a former governor of the state. As a young and handsome man, McKay is definitely a far cry from the much older Coker Jarmon. As the race for the Senate seat goes on, and Mckay progresses in popularity, Jarmon, obviously worried about his winning the election, fabricates a series of promotional advertisements that reflect his opponent's image. These ads depicit McKay as a small boy, standing on a stage, reminding the crowd that his father was once a great governor of California. But the mudslinging didn't work, and by the end, McKay's supporters seem to reflet his image, in some ways, as well. Young people make up most of the population of supporters that give McKay the election, and more than he knows.
Rating:
Summary: Political Realism Presented Entertainingly
Review: "The Candidate" was released in the appropriate year of 1972, when Richard Nixon was reelected, using the media to present himself as a solid, trusted leader who was being challenged by liberal elitists operating in concert with the Eastern media establishment. When the full force of Watergate buried Nixon in scandal shortly thereafter, resulting in his resignation in 1974, the messages presented in "The Candidate" became all the clearer as Nixon's hollow facade lay fully exposed. Jeremy Larner, a former speechwriter for presidential candidate Senator Eugene McCarthy in 1968, used his political savvy to craft a script based on the realism of campaigning in the television age, in which, to use Marshall McLuhan's apt phrase, "the medium is the message." Larner copped a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for his effort. Robert Redford plays Bill McKay, who runs a poverty law center and has no ambitions to seek political office. He is urged to do so as the Democrats in California seek an opponent for a solidly entrenched incumbent U.S. Senator played by Don Porter. Redford, whose father, played by Melvyn Douglas, is a former California governor, agrees to run after being told that he can address topics on his own terms. The idea is that he is expected to make a decent run but is not expected to win. Redford articulates ideas near and dear to him that are not embraced by the broad spectrum of California voters. When he runs poorly in the primary, however, he is informed that he needs to make changes or risk being humiliated in the general election by Porter, a prospect he does not relish. Redford's ensuing frequent turnabouts on major issues make him anything but the refreshingly candid candidate he sought to become. As the polls close and there is possible light at the end of the long campaign tunnel, Redford becomes more of a blurry media creation and loses the old image of refreshingly solid commitment he had previously displayed. Eventually Redford upsets Porter. By the time the long race ends he is immersed in a total blur. The film's closing line is a gem. After winning the race Redford, seated in his hotel room with his campaign staff, asks, "What do we do now?" "The Candidate" was one of director Michael Ritchie's finest efforts. The pacing becomes gradually stepped up as the campaign moves into its important stretch run. By the end the viewer is immersed in the same kind of non-stop, frenzied blur as are the candidates and their staffs, providing a graphic display of political realism via the camera's all-seeing eye.
Rating:
Summary: "The Candidate".....
Review: "The Candidate", and Academy Award winning portrayal of the race for the U.S Senate seat in California, was written in 1972 by cheif strategist and speech writer for Eugene McCarthy's 1968 bid for Democratic presidential nomination, Jeremy Larner. Bill McKay, played by Robert Redford, is a young lawyer, husband, and son of an ex-governor. Drawn to the chance to say what he wants, do what he wants, and go where he wants, McKay joins the race, to lose. But the whole thing goes farthur than McKay ever expected, and everything he worked for becomes everything he wants and has dreaded at the same time. One interesting point in the movie was a statement that Mill McKay's father made to his son after the winner of the election was announced: "Now you're a politician, Son." One might ask: What exactly defines a politician? Is a politician simply someone who wins a political election? Or does it symbolize what one goes through in politics? Through the campaign, McKay finds that politics involve much more than he had bargained for. McKay probably never imagined that he would end up sacrificing his reasons for going into the election in the first place, for meaningless campaign words and marital unfaithfulness. In the beginning, Bill McKay stubbornly supports and speaks about issues that matter the most to him. He heads to beaches that he hung out on in his youth to talk to young people who crowd them now. He discusses environmental awareness, pollution, and government aid for the poor. But by the end of the election, McKay objects less and less to interference in his statements, and seems to lose some of his zeal about "his" election. Although he started the race with strong determination to have his position heard, he subconsiously loses much of it when he learns he has a chance to win. Bill mcKay seems to be well on his way to ending up like his father: divorced, but not single, and a former politician. Playing the part of election candidate seems to come easy as well. Shaking hands and pretending to be interested, caring, and knowledgeable about each eager supporter, McKay takes on the look of an up and coming Croker jarmon. Is this what being a politician is all about? Another point of interest in this movie, is the "image manipulation" that Bill McKay goes through during the movie. At the beginning, McKay is a successful lawyer, happy family man, and probably in his 30's. But through the election, he is portrayed as a little boy and secondary to his father, a former governor of the state. As a young and handsome man, McKay is definitely a far cry from the much older Coker Jarmon. As the race for the Senate seat goes on, and Mckay progresses in popularity, Jarmon, obviously worried about his winning the election, fabricates a series of promotional advertisements that reflect his opponent's image. These ads depicit McKay as a small boy, standing on a stage, reminding the crowd that his father was once a great governor of California. But the mudslinging didn't work, and by the end, McKay's supporters seem to reflet his image, in some ways, as well. Young people make up most of the population of supporters that give McKay the election, and more than he knows.
Rating:
Summary: CULT MOVIES 12
Review: 12. THE CANDIDATE (drama, 1972) Lawyer Bill McKaye (Robert Redford) heads his own public law firm. He's an idealistic man who comes from a wealthy-political family. Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) heads a political committee looking for a 'young, fresh face' to go up against the present Senator of California, Croker Jarmon (an old And experienced war-horse). Lucas believes that McKaye has the potential to upset the Senator in the next elections. Though McKaye he hates the political arena (one of the reasons he drifted from his father, who was once governor), Lucas convinces him, telling him that he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Setting up a McKaye committee, Lucas sets out to shape McKaye into a political weapon. His rise (though not meteoric) is nonetheless slowly felt in the polls. Becoming a surprising contender, he thinks about quitting (scared at the thought of winning). Nevertheless, Lucas tells him its too late, since the finish line is close. With the campaign taking a toll on his homelife, his decision is a difficult one. Critique: Serio-documentary, The Candidate is one of those films that should be shown to students seeking a political career. Its precise depiction of a normal person into a beauracratic tool is almost too real. Director Michael Ritche recreates the sometimes absurd, complicated and superficial world of political inner workings to perfection. Robert Redford is also perfect as a 'wholesome', naïve underdog champion (you can almost feel a JFK-esque aura around him). The film's wonderful parades and interviews further reinforce the sense of a documentary. An excellently written, 'illuminating' experience. QUOTE: Pete: "I saw something up there tonight. Believe me this is effective. You can do it, you can go all the way. Look, you and I know this is all bull, but the point is they'll believe In it."
Rating:
Summary: "What do we do now?"
Review: Although dated, this film presents a splendid depiction of the behind the scenes world of American politics. It truly reveals what just about anyone who has run for a political office has to deal with in order to be popularly elected. This is one of Robert Redford's best early-career acting stints.
Rating:
Summary: So you want to run for office?
Review: Although dated, this film presents a splendid depiction of the behind the scenes world of American politics. It truly reveals what just about anyone who has run for a political office has to deal with in order to be popularly elected. This is one of Robert Redford's best early-career acting stints.
Rating:
Summary: Great Pic!
Review: Being a politcal junkie and an office holder myself, I found "The Candidate" to be one of the most realistic views from a campaign trail. Robert Redford is perfect as the activist turned politician. Peter Boyle is wonderful as his campaign manager. If you can overlook the 70's tone of this movie, then it is one for the movie collection.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing new in the world of politics
Review: Filmed close to 30 years ago, "The Candidate" is a mirror to the politics of 2000. Nothing has changed, with the exception of more money being spent nowadays. The scheme of how things are orchestrated are the same, as demonstrated in the film, such as the role of media, the impact of being connected to certain people, the schmoozing of voters, and the list goes on and on. Robert Redford, as usual, is an actor extraordinare. His performance in "The Candidate" was strong, considering it was one of his earlier films. Redford's character and philosophy, throughout the movie, was similar to that of Robert Kennedy. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed watching it, because Redford's character was one who truly cared about the ideals of America and the fundamental rights human beings have. It was interesting to note, (not a surprise, though, I should add), how Redford's character changed throughout the campaign, as a result of the way the political operations - or rather, the political monster - function. An enjoyable movie for all who are interested in politics and the process of campaigning! Though you can expect what you see in this movie is no different than what you see happening nowadays.
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