In 1987, U.S. Senator Gary Hart's presidential campaign is derailed when he's caught in a scandalous love affair.In 1987, U.S. Senator Gary Hart's presidential campaign is derailed when he's caught in a scandalous love affair.In 1987, U.S. Senator Gary Hart's presidential campaign is derailed when he's caught in a scandalous love affair.
- Awards
- 1 win & 5 nominations
RJ Brown
- Bill Martin
- (as Roosevelt H. Brown Jr)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film was made with only technology that was available in the 80's.
- GoofsThe film begins in 1984 then the screen displays "4 years later" but it actually picks up in early 1987.
- Quotes
Bill Dixon: We're talking about how you get through today without pissing away everything we've all worked for on this campaign! If you lose this, we can kiss the White House goodbye.
- Crazy creditsThe film opens with the 1984 Columbia Pictures logo.
- ConnectionsFeatured in CTV News at 11:30 Toronto: Episode dated 8 September 2018 (2018)
- SoundtracksSalute to the President
(aka "Decision '84")
Written by Henry Mancini
Performed by Henry Mancini
Courtesy of Henry Mancini Enterprises, Inc.
Featured review
The acting in this movie is fine. The problem lies in the script. Near the end it gives Lee Hart, and even Donna Rice, scenes that allow us to get to know them somewhat, see what's inside them. We never get that for Gary Hart, who is far and away the most important character in this movie. We never see what made Hart so popular, especially with younger voters. We never get to see him explain important issues to the masses, though we are told that he does that very effectively. We never get scenes with him in which he gives us a hint of why he risks his career with his extra-marital affairs. He comes off as very cold, very distant, and that's problematic for a central character. As a result, we have no reason to feel anything when his career is finally destroyed.
To an extent, this is about the media's intrusion into the privacy of public officials, but that isn't examined. Nor is there any attempt to suggest a change over time to today, when a sitting president can boast about extra-marital affairs and not suffer any loss of popularity.
In the end, I was left wondering why this story was being told in 2018. It doesn't make us understand Hart, or feel sorry for him. It doesn't tell us anything either about 1988 or our own era. It doesn't make Hart a character we can feel for when he falls, because it never shows him to us as a great if flawed man. (Several characters tell us he is great, but that's not the same thing.) What was the point of filming it?
To an extent, this is about the media's intrusion into the privacy of public officials, but that isn't examined. Nor is there any attempt to suggest a change over time to today, when a sitting president can boast about extra-marital affairs and not suffer any loss of popularity.
In the end, I was left wondering why this story was being told in 2018. It doesn't make us understand Hart, or feel sorry for him. It doesn't tell us anything either about 1988 or our own era. It doesn't make Hart a character we can feel for when he falls, because it never shows him to us as a great if flawed man. (Several characters tell us he is great, but that's not the same thing.) What was the point of filming it?
- richard-1787
- Nov 22, 2018
- Permalink
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,000,105
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $51,543
- Nov 11, 2018
- Gross worldwide
- $3,242,235
- Runtime1 hour 53 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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