Political Movies: Mike Nichols’ Light Political Satire of Clinton (John Travolta) Campaign

Grade: B

The work of a superlative ensemble is the chief reason to see Mike Nichols highly entertaining, but shallow and all too familiar, adaptation of the roman à clef about Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

As expected, the script of Nichols’ frequent collaborator Elaine May cis full of acerbic witty lines and sharp insights.

John Travolta nails the folksy sincerity of a candidate both brilliant and deeply flawed, defined by both decency and dishonesty.

Emma Thompson finds compassion for his wife, Hillary Clinton, a ruthless pragmatist whose dignity is battered by the repeated exposure of her husband’s infidelities.

The movie is about the almost inherent incompatibility of politics and idealism, shown through the increasingly disillusioned eyes of Adrian Lester’s Henry, the grandson of a civil rights hero, eager to be part of history in the making.

Libby, an old friend hired by the campaign to block smear tactics, is a shrewd politician.

Kathy Bates gives a shattering performance as a tough (lesbian) woman who embarks on an ultimately crushing journey of her own.