From writer/director Jason Reitman comes the political drama The Front Runner, a compelling look at the Gary Hart sex scandal. The film follows three weeks of Senator Gary Hart’s 1988 presidential campaign when he went from the front runner for the Democratic nomination to a scandal ridden politician who was forced to withdraw after being caught having an extramarital affair. Interestingly though, Reitman doesn’t really focus on the affair, but instead looks at how it forever altered the press; which had previously turned a blind eye to a politician’s womanizing. Particularly relevant to today’s political climate, the film explores what is news and what the public has a right to know. However, it does come off as a little preachy and pro-Hart. Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, JK Simmons, and Sara Paxton lead the cast and deliver some strong performances. And the production designers do a good job at creating an authentic look and feel for the late ‘80s. A thought-provoking biopic, The Front Runner tells an interesting story about the beginning of a culture shift that demanded more openness and accountability of politicians.
Shout by Dann MichalskiBlockedParent2019-09-06T19:46:26Z
From writer/director Jason Reitman comes the political drama The Front Runner, a compelling look at the Gary Hart sex scandal. The film follows three weeks of Senator Gary Hart’s 1988 presidential campaign when he went from the front runner for the Democratic nomination to a scandal ridden politician who was forced to withdraw after being caught having an extramarital affair. Interestingly though, Reitman doesn’t really focus on the affair, but instead looks at how it forever altered the press; which had previously turned a blind eye to a politician’s womanizing. Particularly relevant to today’s political climate, the film explores what is news and what the public has a right to know. However, it does come off as a little preachy and pro-Hart. Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, JK Simmons, and Sara Paxton lead the cast and deliver some strong performances. And the production designers do a good job at creating an authentic look and feel for the late ‘80s. A thought-provoking biopic, The Front Runner tells an interesting story about the beginning of a culture shift that demanded more openness and accountability of politicians.