Some of the most difficult movies to watch have to do with domestic or foreign politics. It is not that the issue is unimportant or that we, as citizens of a major global player, should not pay attention. It’s just that movies that are about politics can wear you down in many ways, including but not limited to: emotionally, psychologically, socially, and physically. Life tends to be quite unwieldy, and the last thing we need is to add some political satire or scathing drama to it.
But, if you’re a truly powerful movie fan, your curse as a dedicated movie buff is trying to understand the intricate beauty and grace of a great political movie. But what about the aspiring movie buff who’s not sure where to start when it comes to watching political movies? Is there a good place to start? Is there a definitive list?
If you’re new to political movies, here are seven classic movies that will at least give you some good “street cred” with more established moviegoers:
The Manchurian Candidate (original version from 1962) – Sleeper agents, brainwashing, the Korean War, the Cold War, McCarthyism, and the assassinations. This movie has it all, including an exceptional cast. This movie also features a must-see performance by Angela Lansbury.
All the president’s men – Despite the fact that this film was Oscar material from start to finish, the twisted story of the Watergate scandal presented in real time on the pages of The Washington Post was even more addictive.
Bulworth – Released two decades ago, this groundbreaking film tells the story of a politician who, now free from the clutches of pressure groups, can tell it like it is. At a time when many believe that a man of the people is giving them the “real deal” and all they are doing is getting scammed, this movie deserves a review.
Choice – We all know high school can be brutal, but who knew high school politics could be so ruthless? A diabolical and funny mix of dark humor, drama and heart make this film one of the unique selections for a political film. Even if you are just looking for a spectacular movie, choose this one. It rocks.
Dave – Can the American people be fooled into not admitting that an impostor is posing as president? This movie explores this possibility, as well as what it would be like if a normal guy became president. The operative word is “regular”.
Milk – The value of the 1970s, the high tension on LGBTQ rights and everyone refuses to back down. This is the story of one of the most interesting political figures in our country and the horrible chain of events surrounding his disappearance.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb – There is not much to say here, except that you need to see this movie. It is one of the best ever made, and its genius is impressive.
Hopefully, you will find that these movies are a cross-section of the kind of movies to watch when addressing a specific topic. If all you did was watch thrillers or serious dramas, you’d be happy. This list gives you a bit of joy and, dare we say, comedy. Movies are supposed to be a fun way to forget about life for a while. Right now, our political environment is a bit awkward and it may be too convenient to overlook politically heavy material. Unfortunately, you would be missing out on some of the great cinematic gems of the last six decades.