Even if my film education wasn’t thanks to the various free film series around the Nation’s Capital, my dad’s habitual diet of the wonkiest of political talk shows meant that political themes on screen were not a foreign concept (even for the foreign films shown at the East Gallery’s auditorium). And here we are at the even of yet another election, so what if you want to watch something while staying up too late for returns?
I actually had meant to link to a more recent video by Cinefix, using their wonderful format of naming 147,000 films in different subgenres before arriving at their exemplar of said subgenre. Alas, YouTube will take down content that should be within fair use guidelines –at least that’s the only thing I can think of Toho nixing it here. (Getting litigious is totally a Mechagodzilla move).
Anyway, in the name of giving you some options, here’s an even older Cinefix video with a more traditional top 10:
Some additional thoughts (and dad stories) on the list along with the titles linked to Just Watch, in case you want to find out where (or if) you can stream them.
10. JFK (1991)
An exceedingly stylish film by Oliver Stone, if you haven’t seen it, it’s worth checking out. The cast includes many folks you’ll probably recognize including Kevin Costner, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, and Jack Lemmon. The film also proved to be my dad’s first encounter with Gary Oldman, whose portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald, especially the precise recreation of Oswald’s knowng smile, left my dad rather disturbed. He also said the film convinced him that Oswald acted alone. In that moment, probably somewhere in LA, I imagine Oliver Stone’s nostrils reflexively flaring.
By the way, you do not need to read the entire Warren Commission Report before watching the film. That’s just how my dad rolled. In fact, you may enjoy the film more if you don’t. (now that I think about it, he might have read the report when it first came out and then re-read it when this film came out, but I digress…)
9. Dave (1993)
If you want your conspiracies to be light-hearted coupled with some wry observations on politics in a sort of throwback comedy, this feature directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Twins) and written by Gary Ross (Big, Pleasantville) will scratch your election night viewing itch. You Kevin Kline as the President (and Dave) and Sigourney Weaver as the First Lady, plus Frank Langella (yes, he’s a villain), Ving Rhames, Charles Grodin, Ben Kingsley, Laura Linney, Anna Deavere Smith (pre-American President or West Wing) and — for people who like to see the radio Gunsmoke actors on screen — Parley Baer. Okay, that last one is just me.
I recall my dad liking this one as it’s an easy film for dads to like.
8. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
If you want a quintessential Jimmy Stewart or Frank Capra film, you can’t go wrong with this one. Yeah, I see you It’s a Wonderful Life. Wait your turn.
This political Every-David vs. Goliath comedy-drama gives you a classic Hollywood feel-good ending with a great supporting cast including wonderful turns by Claude Rains as a senior senator and Jean Arthur as a jaded reporter (and I also enjoy the performances of Harry Carey and Thomas Mitchell).
When you consider it was banned by fascist nations and caused Washington insiders of the day to grumble at the thought corruption existed, I think you’ll find it’s still quite topical. Plus it’s a delightful watch.
Yes, my dad made sure we saw this one early on in our film education.
7. Dick (1999)
As Leonard Maltin put it, it’s Clueless meets All the President’s Men. It’s a light slice of alternate history and a comedy — and more fun than you’d expect at first glance, in part because the writers channeled some irritation at the real Nixon’s attempts at reforming his image post-Watergate. Plus, Dan Hedaya’s portrayal of Nixon may just make you forget he’s Carla’s husband.
I’m not sure my dad saw this and I’ve only seen it the one time, but if you’re a Kirsten Dunst or Michelle Williams fan, you’ll probably dig it.
6. Seven Days in May (1964)
Moving on to a film my dad definitely saw and one he heartily recommended, this is also classic Hollywood of the 60s variety with political machinations and an attempted coup that, although it very much depends on its cold war setting, feels relevant today.
You’ll want to check this out if you want to check out a John Frankenheimer flick (though not the only one in this list) and you really want to see Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas face off against each other. Folks for whom those names mean nothing may find the pacing not as tense as they might want.
5. Election (1999)
If you want comedy, but you want it darkly cynical — and you want to see Matthew Broderick somewhat sleazy — this is your election film. It’s also a stellar performance by Reese Witherspoon as an absurdly over-achieving student politician that may give student government veterans some PTSD. It also will not give you a Mr. Smith feel-good ending, just a knowing smirk.
4. Advise and Consent (1962)
I’m not sure if this was one of my dad’s favorite films, but he did talk about it fondly… and not just because Walter Pidgeon played senate majority leader, Bob Munson… one of the few onscreen Munsons who fares well (as opposed to others). I mean, if you’re going to be subjective, you might as well be subjective, y’know?
However, the whole cast of the Otto Preminger-helmed picture is great, from Henry Fonda to Charles Laughton to Burgess Meredith to Betty White. Doubtless they were happy to come on board since this is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from ’59, but having finally seen it, I’d say objectively, it’s more of a period piece now than it was then.
So, since it’s currently not easy to find streaming, I wouldn’t go out of my way.
3. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
My dad thoroughly enjoyed this second John Frankenheimer film on the list and it’s easy to see why: it’s a tense political thriller also very dependent on its Cold War setting that will make you yell at the screen for Frank Sinatra to connect the dots faster… and if you’ve only seen Angela Lansbury in fare like Bedknobs and Broomsticks or Beauty & the Beast, you’re in for a dark treat.
2. In the Loop (2009)
If you’re a fan of Veep or The Death of Stalin, this is a spin-off of The Thick of It. In other words, it’s prime Armando Iannucci satire. So if you’re ready to hear the Twelfth Doctor [redacted] swear like a [redacted] [redacted], amongst the likes of Tom Hollander and James Gandolfini, you’re in for a good [redacted] time. My dad did not have a chance to see this, [redacted].
1. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
I can’t fault this Stanley Kubrick-helmed film at # 1 because it’s as brilliant a satire as one could hope for. And frankly, given our current timeline, it feels more topical than I’m comfortable with (yes, I’m thinking in part of General Ripper’s obsession with “precious bodily fluids”). Peter Sellers in phenomenal in all his parts, but the rest of the cast does well too… and don’t you want to see James Earl Jones’ first film role? Of course you do! Otherwise, you might have to answer to the Coca-Cola Company. (I’m not saying you will, just you might).
Some other possibilities for your viewing pleasure not on this list would be the Aaron Sorkin-written The American President or the TV show West Wing, especially if you want some political competence wish fulfillment. If the mention of Dick made you want to see the original All the President’s Men, have at. And although The Milagro Beanfield War might not be your first thought of a political movie, it does mention how Milagro elections go (“… those guys vote six, seven times apiece.”) as well as focusing on community activism in the face of development the community didn’t ask for. Now that’s topical.
Let me know of other films in the comments!