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The Best Political Film
As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so are 'best of' designations. Such cannot be proven right or wrong but we feel we are so damn sure.
With such an introduction, here are my two nominations for Best Political Film:
"A Very British Coup" and "The Politician's Wife."
Both are U.K. films and, I believe, were first seen on the PBS show "Masterpiece Theatre."
"A Very British Coup" is the one closest to my heart. Here is the description:
"Harry Perkins, 'from Sheffield, steel worker and third generation Socialist,' is elected Prime Minister. He said what he'd do if he were elected and now he and his cabinet are going to it. He plans to have American bases moved out of Britain, destroy Britain's nuclear armory, phase out nuclear energy, break the power of the entrenched old boys, break up the newspaper monopolies and reinvest in British jobs. 'I once tried middle of the road,' Perkins says. 'I was knocked down by traffic in both directions.' He also plans to run an open government because that's what the people want. 'I'm going to tell you the truth. The whole truth,' Perkins says to the British people during a telecast. 'He can't do that,' one of the press lords says. 'He's the prime minister.' --- C.O. DeRiemer (148 minutes)"The film is based on a book written by a former U.K. parliamentary member and, obviously, the entire concept is a fantasy but it's a fun one.
For the hopelessly naive progressive political junkies like me, this will be a great romp.
"A Politician's Wife," in some ways, seems very much like politics in today's United States. Full of backbiting, devious posturing, outright lies and loaded with unlikeable political figures, this is both a personal story but also one much larger about the body politic. Here is the description:
"This is one of the great revenge stories of all times. The Minister for Family (of all people) is caught in a love nest scandal. And like a certain President's wife of recent memory, his spouse is expected by The Party to stand behind him. Well, she does and in the most original way possible. As all the Old Boys rally behind this despicable lowlife, the wife uses that very system of disinformation to get back a bit of her own...savor this jaundiced view of inner-party workings and how they destroy whatever traces of humanity those concerned might have had once. --- Frank Behrens (187 minutes)"This one contains some salty language and nudity but leaves the viewer wondering just exactly what is going on and why--until the delicious conclusion. I have some concerns about the end but I don't want to give anything away.
Enjoy.
What are your nominations?
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