BEFORE: I sort of almost forgot about this one - the way my watchlist is arranged by topic, there are obvious points where I can drop in new (or new-ish) films, once they've premiered on cable - and I've got a separate list of films from last year that I'm waiting to see in the listings. So I think when I set up this topic, I figured this would have aired on HBO or Showtime by now, and it hasn't. Watching "Speechless" reminded me that this film existed and wasn't on my watchlist yet - it's the most obvious follow-up, so I guess I have to pay $5 to watch it on PPV, or $4 on iTunes, so I don't have to circle back on this topic later. And because I care about you, the home viewer.
This will be just the 4th time I've downloaded a film for the project (after "Cashback", "North Dallas Forty" and "Hot Tub Time Machine") but in order to get at the films that don't seem to run on cable often, it's probably something I should be doing more often. Linking from "Speechless", Michael Keaton was also in "The Other Guys" with Will Ferrell (last heard in "Megamind")
THE PLOT: In order to gain influence over their North Carolina district, two CEOs seize an opportunity to oust long-term congressman Cam Brady by putting up a rival candidate.
AFTER: This was a mostly amusing film, but it's hard not to think that Will Ferrell is covering much of the same ground he did in "Talladega Nights", playing a dimwitted Southerner, mixed with his well-known ability to imitate George W. Bush.
But the wild-card here is his opponent, a married man who also acts somewhat effeminate, but not really gay. He's also a bit of a loser, but not outright - perhaps he's just socially awkward or not as aggressive as he could be in the job market. So he's a hard one to get a read on, but since he's played by Zach Galifianakis the inevitable comparison would be to the awkward character he took on in the "Hangover" films.
Like "Speechless", this is a political film that doesn't really cover actual political topics, but here that's mined for humor, demonstrating the way that a slick candidate can respond to a debate question without actually answering it. It could also suggest that a candidate's image, personal life and various campaign stunts have more bearing on the election results than talking about the issues. Then again, maybe I'm giving the film too much credit, and the lack of political points is just a writing oversight.
It seems that winning is everything, and justifies any personal vendettas, name-calling, or mud-slinging, which kind of sends a strange message, but is probably closer to the truth than most Americans would care to admit. There are veiled references to real-life campaign lobbyists the Koch brothers, as well as Dick Cheney's hunting accident and the sex scandals and secrets of the Clintons.
It may not get the respect of "Wag the Dog" or "All the President's Men", but it doesn't have to, since it's a lot of fun.
Also starring Zach Galifianakis (last seen in "The Muppets"), Jason Sudeikis (last seen in "Horrible Bosses"), Dylan McDermott, John Lithgow (last seen in "Memphis Belle"), Dan Aykroyd (last seen in "50 First Dates"), Bryan Cox (last seen in "Running With Scissors"), with cameos from Jack McBrayer (last heard in "Despicable Me"), Wolf Blitzer, Piers Morgan, Dennis Miller, Chris Matthews and John Goodman (last seen in "Always").
RATING: 6 out of 10 opinion polls
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