Movie Revisits for Uncertain Times
Binge them all
I am a life long cinephile, and find a lot of joy in watching (and rewatching) all kinds of film. I am not a movie snob, and find the same enjoyment in watching beloved romcoms and blockbuster action flicks, as I do cerebral and art house cinema - it just depends on my mood. I believe movies have the power to move, educate, reframe, mirror, expose, inspire, and connect us in a way few other mediums do.
Given all of the upheaval happening here in the U.S.A. in particular, I have been revisiting both movies and series that touched upon American politics, social change, and newsrooms. Also, Rolling Stone put together a list of “50 best movies about American in the last 50 years”, so if you need some recommendations….
MOVIES
Network, 1976: In this lauded satire, veteran news anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) discovers that he's being put out to pasture, and he's none too happy about it. After threatening to shoot himself on live television, instead he launches into an angry televised rant, which turns out to be a huge ratings boost for the UBS network. This stunt allows ambitious producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) to develop even more outrageous programming, a concept that she takes to unsettling extremes. Starring Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch.
The Post, 2017: Katharine Graham is the first female publisher of a major American newspaper -- The Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee, Graham races to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spans three decades and four U.S. presidents. Together, they must overcome their differences as they risk their careers -- and very freedom -- to help bring long-buried truths to light. Starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.
All the president’s men, 1976: Two green reporters and rivals working for the Washington Post, Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman), research the botched 1972 burglary of the Democratic Party Headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex. With the help of a mysterious source, code-named Deep Throat (Hal Holbrook), the two reporters make a connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. Despite dire warnings about their safety, the duo follows the money all the way to the top. Starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.
Chinatown, 1974: Set in 1937 and portrays the manipulation of a critical municipal resource—water—by a cadre of shadowy oligarchs (sound familiar?). Starring Jack Nicholson.
SERIES
The Good Fight, 2017-2022: A spin off from ‘the good wife’, this series first aired to coincide with the first Trump administration, so each story was echoing real time issues and news that the cast of Chicago lawyers were fighting. Starring the fantastic Christine Baranski.
The Newsroom, 2012-14: This HBO gem still regularly has clips making the rounds, covering a fast paced NYC newsroom. Starring Jeff Daniels, written by Aaron Sorkin.
The West Wing, 1999-2006: A classic, and idealized version of what the White House could be, with a fantastic cast and fast talking monologues. The president played by Martin Sheen, also written by Aaron Sorkin.
Veep, 2012-19: If you need a laugh, this is it, and according to many staffers in Washington, closest to the real thing. A great American political satire starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
P.S. If you are a fan of the Criterion Closet content series, this is a great place to hear actors and directors favorite picks for some inspiration.
Don’t worry, I have movies and shows for every mood, so much more to come…