MovieChat Forums > Advise & Consent (1962) Discussion > Great political movie that hasn't dated ...

Great political movie that hasn't dated at all...

posted 16 years ago by GrigoryGirl
7 replies | jump to latest

This is a great film, one of Preminger's finest films, and, like most of Preminger's work, hasn't dated at all.

Unlike most political films today and TV series like The West Wing, Advise is not a message film. It's a complex, intelligent, and very adult film about the way Washington works (or doesn't work), and how politics can destroy lives, regardless of political ideology. Most of the time, you forget who is actually left or right, and realise they're all human.

When you watch a TV show like The West Wing, it's so preachy and PC you want to run screaming from the TV. Preminger's film treats the audience like adults, and doesn't preach to us.

[–] Seanpdineen 15 years ago

I wish they would film the other five books in that series.
sort of a time capusel of American's cold war, racial and protest politics.
Brillant.

[–] kslick 15 years ago

I couldn't agree more.

What fascinated me was the "honesty" of the story (if any fiction can be honest) in showing faults on all sides. It's not something that I associate with American films of that time.

[–] jgroub 14 years ago

Sorry to be "that" guy, but I couldn't disagree more - I think this film has gotten dated in the past almost 50 years. The whole gay angle makes this film incredibly dated. Nobody would be committing suicide over something like this now. In fact, as Sen. Larry Craig proved, they'd be fighting to stay in office!

While it was still a pretty good flick, I don't see it as the triumph I was led to believe. I appreciate it more because I recognize just about every actor in the movie, rather than because I liked the plot.

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] TheSolarSailor 11 years ago

The whole gay angle makes this film incredibly dated. Nobody would be committing suicide over something like this now. In fact, as Sen. Larry Craig proved, they'd be fighting to stay in office! >>> The film is just as relevant today as ever. The whole gay issue might not result in a suicide now like it would have back then, but that is a small pedantic point that misses out on the larger story being told here. Take out the gay angle or the use of communism to tarnish a reputation and replace it with something today that would cause a suicide for a man in such a position. The big picture is what matters in regards to the film's relevancy, not that small detail.

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Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

[–] jgroub 11 years ago

But that's exactly my point. Craig in Idaho and his, ahem, "wide stance," Vitter in Louisiana going to hookers, Spitzer in New York doing the same, Saford in South Carolina "hiking the Appalachian trial," Weiner in New York and his sexting, Filner in San Diego and his sexual harassment . . . NOTHING would result in one of these egotistical political pr!cks committing suicide nowadays! They're all far too full of themselves. They have no shame any more. With the exception of Craig, all of these guys have "come back" into politics.

When is the last political suicide that made the national news? Sure Budd Dwyer did it in spectacular fashion in front of reporters, but that was over 25 years ago. This isn't relevant anymore. Nowadays, the gay guy - or whatever they're accused of doing - would lie low for a few years, rehabilitate his image, and make a comeback into a lower position.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] TheSolarSailor 11 years ago

I agree. I just finished watching the film, and it is just as poignant as ever in regards to the way things are on the Hill! I mentioned to my brother how no matter the low opinion of Congress today, that some things never change and that these problems have existed nearly since the inception of our government. The governing body is made up of human beings, and thus there will always be corruption, extortion, blackmail, and greed. Excellent film from start to finish.

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Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

Watching the movie a second time, and I agree with you. Politics can be dirty, as life is. The telling of life is never dated. The issues may change, but the game is still played the same.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world