A good weekend to you. I have Part 2 of a few suggested classic films about America’s rambunctious politics, in time for midterms. All films are dated in their portrait of America. But all also have something vital to say.
Primary Colors, 1998. Mike Nichols, based on Joe Klein’s novel. John Travolta as the Clintonesque charmer, Emma Thompson as the brilliant, long-afflicted spouse, and Larry Hagman’s cameo as a governor with secrets. As Travolta’s character insists after another deception, “This is the price you pay to lead.”
Election, 1999. Alexander Payne’s film, from Tom Perotta’s novel. with Reese Witherspoon as the ambitious student politician and Matthew Broderick as the teacher who takes it too personally. Great line from a student-assembly speech: “Who cares about this stupid election? We all know it doesn't matter!”
Advise and Consent, 1962. Otto Preminger's film, based on Allen Drury’s 1959 bestseller. Henry Fonda as the nominee with a secret, Charles Laughton as a Sam Ervin-like adversary, and Don Murray a Utah senator with another kind of secret. First major Hollywood film with a sympathetic gay character. Betty White’s film debut, as a Kansas senator. Among memorable lines: A politician tells his son it’s all right to lie to a reporter: “It’s a Washington, D.C., kind of lie.”
The Best Man, 1964. From Gore Vidal’s 1960 play. We rarely have contested political conventions anymore, but Lee Tracy’s portrayal of a Trumanesque ex-president still hits home. “It’s par for the course to fool the people,” he tells a young pol. “But it’s downright foolish to try to fool yourself.”
Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him on Twitter.
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Welcome to NPR’s emporium of Halloween Delights! We’ve collected some ghoulishly good podcasts to help make your night of fright extra spook-tacular. You’ll find these picks and more at the bottom of your NPR One Podcasts tab.
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