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The Candidate Reviews
The synthetic quality of The Candidate, along with its sacrifice of substance for image, should make it offensive. It isn't, however, because it never tries to milk our emotions and is such visible fun with itself.
The Candidate is both securely of its time while also featuring parallels to the performative aspects of the political system we continue to see today.
On the heels of one of the ugliest elections in American history, “The Candidate” is a light and frothy escape by comparison.
...compulsively engaging...
This low-key satire stars the 1970s tan-corduroy-jacket version of Robert Redford, which is possibly the best of all the Robert Redfords.
[Michael] Ritchie's technical skill as a director is impressive.
It is full of political insights, of ironic humor. It shows an understanding of words that mean nothing. What the script lacks is definition of people as people. It stacks its deck. McKay is too charming, too nice, his rival too much a villain.
Neither the authentic political atmosphere nor canny performances by Redford, Boyle and Porter go far to cut through the basic glibness of the film.
Much of it has a pleasing air of accuracy. But Redford's inability to suggest any irony about himself finally sinks it -- it's the only sanctimonious satire you'll ever see.
With Redford giving one of his best comedic performances, helped by a Oscar winning script, The Candidate is witty and charming, while looking good and proving quite memorable.
Robert Redford's engaging performance here breathes fresh life into the all-power-corrupts theme, and the sharply observed situations won an Oscar for scriptwriter Jeremy Larner.
[The Candidate] is the best film about American electioneering politics since The President's Analyst.
The result is a fascinating film that sometimes feels like a documentary. Despite minor glitches, this is a prophetic glimpse of politics in the age of TV.
If this candidate doesn't prove to be a winner, I'll demand a recount.
Redford fancies himself so superior to the electoral process that he ends up with a completely fatuous characterization of a politician.
Redford's superior acting talents, which not-often-enough are tapped by the scripts he decides to do, are nearly all on display herein in a virtuoso peformance.
Good early intro to the political machinery behind the candidates, where the emphasis is clearly only focused on winning
The first and arguably the sharpest expose of the new media-determined American political process, The Candidate offers producer-star Redford one of his strongest dramatic roles; Michael Ritchei's 1972 cautionary tale became prophetic in its message