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- Robert Redford’s Dazzling Political Dramedy
- The Candidate‘s Surprising Ties to the Real World
- The Candidate Becomes a Cinema Success
As a movie enthusiast and history buff, I find myself utterly captivated by the story of “The Candidate.” This film is more than just a cinematic masterpiece; it’s a testament to the power of personal experiences in shaping art.
Legendary figure Robert Redford is no novice when it comes to gracing classic films and leaving lasting impressions; he truly shone in the 1972 satirical political comedy-drama “The Candidate,” where he portrayed an offbeat U.S. Senate contender. This clever and amusing movie follows Redford’s transformation from a lawyer into a politician as he navigates unfamiliar territory while vying to defeat the Republican nominee. Initially, his captivating character was selected for the role because he had virtually no chance of winning.
The Candidate garnered significant recognition, and Jeremy Larner won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. As a seasoned political insider, the talented writer drew upon his extensive personal experience in politics when crafting the critically acclaimed ’70s movie. We’ll delve into the real-life connections this brilliant dramedy shares with a genuine political candidate and how it influenced the development of the award-winning script.
Robert Redford’s Dazzling Political Dramedy
As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary talent that Hollywood legend Robert Redford displayed in the 1972 political dramedy, “The Candidate.” In this captivating production, I found myself immersed in the role of Bill McKay, a public interest lawyer portrayed by Redford himself. This charismatic character finds himself unexpectedly thrust into a seemingly unwinnable race for the Senate against a popular Republican candidate, all at the behest of his political strategist, Marvin Lucas, played brilliantly by Peter Boyle.
McKay agrees to the pretense, as long as he can speak openly and voice his personal beliefs and unfiltered opinions. However, following a few setbacks during the campaign, the charming lawyer unwittingly evolves into a genuine politician, climbing up in popularity (which he finds rather disheartening). As McKay observes that his chances of winning the election are increasingly favorable day by day, he becomes aware of how much his platform has been adjusted to cater to the public, leading him to ponder whether he should stay true to himself or his political party.
The Candidate’s Surprising Ties to the Real World
As a movie enthusiast, let me share an interesting fact about the movie “The Candidate“. Although the characters and political figures depicted in it are purely fictional, there’s a fascinating connection to real life. Screenwriter Jeremy Larner, who penned this satirical masterpiece, had previously served as a speechwriter for Senator Eugene J. McCarthy during his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968. This personal experience was tapped by Robert Redford and director Michael Ritchie when they selected Larner to write the script. The trio spent the summer of 1971 working tirelessly to finalize the film, ensuring its release prior to the 1972 presidential election campaign.
Larner was chosen as the screenwriter for the film instead of ten other contenders due to his authentic understanding of politics. He incorporated his own past experiences while working for McCarthy into the plot development. As a skilled speechwriter and former journalist, he admitted that his interactions with various politicians played a role in the storyline. He further stated, “My experiences with different politicians found their way into the story; I utilized certain elements directly from the campaigns.” Later, Larner disclosed that the scene where McKay is reprimanded in the restroom was based on an actual event experienced by McCarthy himself, as he shared with Brooklyn Magazine in 2016.
“We figured out the essence of the story, and I shared some personal anecdotes about McCarthy. Some of these incidents were incorporated into the script itself. For instance, the scene where someone gives McKay a Coke and a hot dog, keeping his hands busy, then hits him in the face – that’s something that actually happened to McCarthy.
Bill McKay’s character was influenced by U.S. Senator John V. Tunney and former California governor Jerry Brown, as director Michael Ritchie had previously worked on Tunney’s successful 1970 Senate campaign. When Larner was selected as the screenwriter, he was instructed by Ritchie and Redford (via Timeout) to write a movie about “a candidate who traded his integrity,” which led Larner to create the exceptional script for the eventual Academy Award-winning film.
The Candidate Becomes a Cinema Success
The Candidate made its way to theaters ahead of the 1972 presidential election, premiering on June 29, 1972, to widespread critical acclaim while going on to gross $2.5 million throughout its spectacular run. Lauded for its sharp and witty humor, savvy screenplay, and captivating performance by Redford, the engaging picture was triumphantly declared by The New York Times as “one of the few good, truly funny American political comedies ever made” and adding that it is “serious, but its tone is coldly comic, as if it had been put together by people who had given up hope.”
In a remarkable display of talent, Jeremy Larner earned an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay due to his outstanding writing in the film, “The Candidate.” This ’70s masterpiece, recognized for its critical and audience acclaim, boasts an impressive 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and 74% Popcornmeter. The compelling dramedy is still relevant today, with Robert Redford delivering a memorable performance that resonates deeply in the complex political landscape of modern times. Catch this timeless classic on Prime Video by renting or buying The Candidate.
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2024-11-09 18:31