‘The Last Republican’ Review: Adam Kinzinger Makes an Engaging Doc Subject in Portrait of an Anti-Trump Conservative

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating through the labyrinth of political documentaries and biopics, I must say that “The Last Republican” stands out as a unique gem. It’s not every day you see a film helmed by a director known for his love of hot tub time machines, yet manages to capture such profound moments in our contemporary political landscape.

In these unusual times, it’s quite unexpected that the new documentary about former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger, titled “The Last Republican,” isn’t produced by the typical filmmaking crew you’d expect. Instead, it’s directed by Steve Pink, known for his comedy like “Hot Tub Time Machine.” This choice makes sense when you realize that this movie is one of Kinzinger’s favorites. He even jokes about it, “It’s the selling point,” he says, well aware of Pink’s liberal leanings. “You seem to have contempt for my political views,” he admits.

After transitioning into a renowned media figure, accomplished author, and favorite among Democrats (he even addressed their national convention), it’s tempting to underestimate the bravery Kinzinger showed in championing democracy. Interestingly, this wasn’t what ultimately led to his departure from office; instead, it was due to a redrawing of the congressional district boundaries that placed him in staunch MAGA territory, causing him to believe he couldn’t win a primary election.

The filmmaker apparently had extensive privileges in dealing with his subject during the turbulent time following the events of January 6, which prompted him to go against the majority of his own party’s views. Kinzinger remarks about that fateful day, “I foolishly believed that people wouldn’t continue being deluded by this.” He primarily accuses Donald Trump, but he holds Kevin McCarthy responsible even more so. This is because, as he argues, Trump may be ‘crazy’, but McCarthy, a shrewd political strategist, was well aware of his actions.

As a gamer speaking, I’d say: “I, just like Kinzinger, had zero interest in joining the January 6th committee. When Pelosi picked me, my initial thought was something along the lines of ‘Oh great, not me.’ But then, when I saw her on a Sunday morning political show, I knew it was real. She did give me a heads up, but let’s be honest, who wants to hear that at 5 in the morning? I was still catching some Z’s.

The hearings serve as the main focus within this documentary, with the scenes appearing remarkably familiar to anyone who’s been following them closely. However, the candid remarks from Representative Kinzinger and his wife Sofia, vividly describing her distress as she watched the events of January 6th unfold in real-time and fearing for her husband’s life, are captivating. Sofia explains that after several heartrending testimonies by Capitol police officers, she texted him to encourage them, assuring them they had triumphed. He obliged, emotionally comforting them with the words, “You guys won.” Predictably, this heartfelt display was met with mockery by figures such as Newsmax and Tucker Carlson.

Kinzinger faced severe consequences for his brave actions. There are recorded calls to his office where individuals make violent threats against him and his family, using the most vile language possible. Eleven of his family members wrote him a letter disowning him, accusing him of joining “the devil’s army.” He was also censured by his own party, and eventually, he needed round-the-clock security at his home due to threats on his life. In a matter-of-fact tone, he says, “Yes, people want me dead,” followed by, “It really stinks, doesn’t it?

As a gamer here, I’ve always been captivated by my own little-known history. For instance, politics wasn’t just a subject for me from an early age, it was an all-consuming passion. One Halloween, instead of going for the typical candy haul, I dressed up as Illinois’ governor, and transformed my room into a miniature campaign headquarters. And if you thought that was nerdy, wait till you hear about my childhood hobby: reenacting the Civil War… on the side of the Union, of course.

In his youth, Kinzinger bravely stepped in to prevent a violent altercation, where a man was about to stab his girlfriend on a street late at night. This spontaneous act suggests that his courage had already blossomed at a young age. Regrettably, he believes he has been dealing with PTSD ever since, but the incident was captured on surveillance cameras, offering a gripping, real-life drama that documentary filmmakers might envy for its emotional impact.

The politically skilled, appealing, and eloquent individual effortlessly captivates the camera lens (it’s no wonder he’s a regular on television), and humbly plays down his ethical standpoint. “I don’t consider what I did as courageous,” he modestly remarks. “I believe I was simply in the company of cowards.

As a gamer, I shared my hopes with the other nine Republican congressmen after the impeachment vote. We discussed seizing the chance presented by the suspension of corporate donations and Trump’s (temporary) absence to regain control of our party. Unfortunately, they remained silent, leaving an opportunity on the table. The potential consequences of this inaction might become apparent this November.

2024-09-07 20:55

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