Cinema Revisited: The Candidate (1972)

Directed by Michael Ritchie. Cast: Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Melvyn Douglas, Don Porter, Allen Garfileld Karen Clarlson, Qunn Redeker, Kenneth Tobey. Released August 11, 1972. Running time: 110 minutes.

So the story goes, Robert Redford got the idea for this movie when watching the 1968 presidential campaign and noticing how audiences applauded both Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey each time they said anything, when all they were doing was relying on empty catchphrases. Michael Ritchie had directed Redford in his hit movie "Downhill Racer" (1969), so the actor approached the director with this idea.

Released during the 1972 campaign, "The Candidate" features Redford as California lawyer Bill McKay, who fights for the working class. Because McKay's father was a noted, and popular, politician, a rep from the Democratic party, Marvin Lucas, recruits Bill to run for the senate against a popular incumbent. Bill is promised that he can conduct his campaign honestly, with no restrictions, mostly because the Democrats realize he will likely lose anyway. However, as the election gets going, it looks like McKay is not only going to lose, he is going to lose as such of a margin, it will humiliate the Democratic party. McKay then changes his approach to a more generic candidate, following the political rules, using catchphrases, and recruiting his father's formidable support. He ends up rising in the polls and, finally, winning the election. The film ends when he looks to Lucas and asks, "What do we do now?" The film ends before he is given an answer.

Filmed by Ritchie in a semi-documentary manner, "The Candidate" is a compelling look at how a political campaign evolves. We see the failures along the way, from constituents that respond negatively to technical problems that ruin an appearance; these incidents hidden from the public in actual situations. Redford effectively plays the central character's earnestness, disassociation, and gradual eagerness, despite these being conflicting emotions. The film doesn't have a linear narrative structure, but instead follows McKay's ups and downs on the campaign trail, and his frustrations that he struggles to keep within (showing up in occasional outbursts like his kicking a faulty soda machine).

A lot of the film is perfunctory, and some of it has dated in nearly 50 years. But it is also fascinating how much a 1972 fictional movie has similarities to how campaigns are conducted in the 21st century. The debate scene is a pivotal one in this movie, just as a debate can have an impact on an actual campaign, and it is one of the strongest scenes in the movie.

Veteran actor Melvyn Douglas, centered and confident in his role as McKay's retired politician father, all but steals every scene he's in, as he carries himself about loftily and owns his role with effortless grace. Peter Boyle is focused and committed as the determined Michael Lucas, whose job it is to save face for the party while maintaining all of the stress. Natalie Wood does a cameo as herself, a favor to Redford, who co-starred with her in "Inside Daisy Clover" (1965) and "This Property is Condemned" (1966). Politicians George McGovern, Hubert Humphrey, Alan Cranston, and Sam Yorty also appear.

This is one of only two screenplays by Jeremy Larner (the other being "Drive, He Said," based on his novel and featuring Jack Nicholson). Larner, who is still living at the time of this writing, won an Oscar for his screenplay for "The Candidate."