3 Political Movies ThatMirror the 2016 Election

By : Dan Cen t i ne l l o

The CandidateStarring Robert Redford andPeter BoyleDirected by Michael Ritchie

ROBERT REDFORD

The PlotCampaign manager Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) convincesactivist-lawyer Bill McKay (Robert Redford) to run for senate.The public swoons. But to keep their affections, Lucas pushesMcKay further and further away from McKay’s core beliefs andmessage. His platform gets watered down, but his popularitysoars.

Mr. Smith Goes toWashington

Starring Jimmy Stewart andClaude RainsDirected by Frank Capra

The PlotStewart plays an idealistic senator who wants to make hiscommunity a better place. Another senator (played by Rains),however, has Stewart’s character in his sights becauseStewart’s do-gooding is interfering with the corrupt senators’moneymaking. The bad senator sets out to discredit anddiscourage Stewart’s character.

LincolnStarring Daniel Day-LewisDirected by Steven Spielberg

STEVEN SPIELBERG

The PlotDay-Lewis, you may remember, won the Oscar for best actorfor his portrayal of President Lincoln and his life in this TonyKushner screenplay.