The Candidate, a film that both Republicans and Democrats can love

When I first saw this 1972 movie directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Robert Redford and Peter Boyle, I was only 10 years old when it aired on broadcast television. I guess the reason it held my interest then was because without knowing it at the time I would become the political junkie that I am today.

The fascinating part was as a young boy I rooted for Robert Redford because he was the Democrat. Who else was I supposed to root for as a Latino? But, when I crossed over at age 15 or 16 from the Darkside to become a conservative I sided with the Republican candidate portrayed excellently by Don Porter.

I still love this film today and watch at least once a year because it shows the inside of a political campaign and how little the public sees beyond what goes into a run for public office. And there’s nothing new under the Sun because the types of rhetoric used the Democrat and the Republican over 30 years ago is basically what you’ve heard in every political campaign.

Even though the film is shown through the inside perspective of the Democrat running for office, the film portrays the Republican candidate verify fairly which is why I say film goers of either political party will enjoy the film.




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