With the Election drawing near, Movies.ie looks at seven great political pictures…
Syriana
Written and directed by Stephen Gaghan (Oscar-winning screenwriter of Traffic) Syriana takes its name from a Washington term that refers to a hypothetical reshaping of the Middle East. The film follows multiple storylines and several different characters, each of whom is somehow connected to the oil industry. Starring George Clooeny, this is a gripping and thoughtful thriller that harks back to the classic political thrillers of the 1970s.
Dr. Strangelove
This political driven flick about the nuclear arms race starts out as a drama-until Stanley Kubrick’s realised just how wacked-out the real-life American and Soviet military brass actually were. Even with Peter Sellers in three of his most memorable roles, Slim Pickens steals the show by riding a nuke to its final destination.
Frost/Nixon
Adapted by Mr. Peter Morgan, Ron Howard takes a second look at the highly publicized face-off between British personality David Frost and the disgraced former president Mr. Nixon. This television event took place in 1977 and though it is merely armchair conversation, the film will keep you on edge throughout.
The Constant Gardener
Combining a moving love story with a scathing look at the pharmaceutical companies work, The Constant Gardener is a gripping political thriller from Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles and bound to leave you with a troubled conscience…
All the President’s Men
When Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s best-selling book was made into a film by conspiracy movie specialist Alan J. Pakula, the success of the movie was a foregone conclusion. And despite knowing how the film turns out, the explosive nature of the entire political drama still manages to grip the viewer.
JFK
A controversial movie in its day, Oliver Stone brings great raw power to the story of JFK’s assination and tells it with such finesse that one starts to actually believe the theory of an alternate explanation.
The Manchurian Candidate
After Raymond Shaw returns from the Korean War with the Congressional Medal of Honor, two members of his platoon have disturbing dreams that suggest Shaw didn’t actually earn his medal. The dreams lead to an investigation of conspiracy that threatens to submerge Shaw’s mother and senator husband. This movie’s disturbing implications about our government and the wars it becomes involved in has remained with us to this day, and The Manchurian Candidate was even remade in 2004, starring Denzel Washington. If you’re not big on oldies, check out director Jonathan Demme’s remake.