'80s election movies stink, so...
Sadly do I bow my head and confess: The '80s were a time of really lame election movies. So lame, that hardly any come to mind. But thanks to the magic of the Stuck in the '80s blog, I can instead tout my favorite non-'80s political flicks. Thankfully most of them have an '80s connection anyway.
TOP 10 ELECTION MOVIES - ALL TIME:
10. WAG THE DOG (1997): Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman. "There are two things I know to be true. There's no difference between good flan and bad flan, and there is no war." [View trailer]
9. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995): Michael Douglas, Annette Bening. "I'm a citizen, this is my president. And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders it's our responsibility." [View trailer]
8. THE CONTENDER (2000): Gary Oldman, Joan Allen. "Who doesn't want a shortcut to greatness?" [View trailer]
7. THE CANDIDATE (1972): Robert Redford, Peter Boyle. "So vote once, vote tuh-wice, for Bill McKay ... you middle-class honkies."[View trailer]
6. DAVE (1993): Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver. "There's no mistake, Bill. When you veto someone's funding that is not a mistake. When you hurt someone intentionally that is not a mistake." [View trailer]
5. BOB ROBERTS (1992): Tim Robbins, Alan Rickman. " I could use a strong finisher myself sometimes." [View trailer]
4. TRUE COLORS (1991): John Cusack, James Spader. "They say great men are embraced by thousands of strangers. I wanna be great." [View trailer]
3. ELECTION (1999): Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon. "It's like my mom says, 'The weak are always trying to sabatoge the strong.' "[View trailer]
2. PRIMARY COLORS (1998): John Travolta, Emma Thompson. "We can do incredible things. We can change this country. I'm gonna win this thing. Look me in the eye, Henry, and tell me that you don't want to be a part of it." [View trailer]
1. BULWORTH (1998): Warren Beatty, Halle Berry. "Can you play back that crispy crab cakes remark again?" [View trailer]
Still watchable: Head of State, Man of the Year, The Distinguished Gentleman, Welcome to Mooseport. And before anyone sounds off, I don't really consider All the President's Men an elections movie. Otherwise, it'd be top 5.
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Posted by: johnny B. Goode | November 06, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I would disagree Ian. American President-He was running for reelection against a thinly disguised Bob Dole character.
Dave-the guy was running for election in the end and the election was a huge factor for the ruse that they came up with. Particularly for the Frank Langella character.
Posted by: Eric S | November 06, 2008 at 02:50 AM
Too bad Dave and The American President aren't actually election movies (they are movies about presidents, but not about elections).
Posted by: Ian | November 05, 2008 at 03:33 PM
I personally would put 'Election', 'Wag the Dog' and 'Bob Roberts' as the top three. Never have seen 'All the King's Men' (not that you mentioned it), but it's one of my favorite books and Broderick Crawford won on Oscar for it. I heard the remake was beyond horrible.
Posted by: Simon | November 05, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Not really an election movie, but "My Fellow Americans" has its moments. Anything with Jack Lemmon can't be bad.
On the above list, I always thought Bob Roberts was underrated.
Posted by: Mark in East Texas | November 05, 2008 at 09:37 AM
I have been enjoying a political movie marathon for a couple of weeks now and most of these movies were on the list. I have Bulworth next on my list to watch having never seen it before.
I would consider All the President's Men a "political" movie but not an "election" movie.
I love the Contender. Gary Oldman is fabulous.
Posted by: 80sfan | November 04, 2008 at 03:43 PM
I'm completely on board with Bulworth. I just howled watching it.
Posted by: Anne | November 04, 2008 at 03:34 PM
I also thought Bulworth was a bit overrated. I would have quite a few of the other top 10 over that one. I think Election and Dave were my two favorites of the list.
I did not like My Fellow Americans at all.
Posted by: Eric S | November 04, 2008 at 03:30 PM
My Fellow Americans was GREAT!
Posted by: | November 04, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Just gonna toss one out there. Do what you want with it. My Fellow Americans!
Anyone? Anyone?
Posted by: Jason | November 04, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Whatever, Heather. Steve's right. Wag the Dog is overacted big-time.
Posted by: | November 04, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I´m with Douglas here. Wag The Dog is a good movie and much,much better than Bulworth.
Posted by: Miguel | November 04, 2008 at 12:59 PM
It is a spot on satire with great acting and probably the last great effort from Barry Levinson, who has made a mysterious string of stinkers of late.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | November 04, 2008 at 12:54 PM
I just can't put Wag the Dog any higher. I've tried to watch it three times and fell asleep every time.
Posted by: Spears | November 04, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Bulworth #1??? Really? It was decent, but not top of the list. I think Wag the Dog certainly should have been a bit higher too.
But I think you may be right about 80's election movies. I can't think of any off the top of my head either. I am sure someone will chime in with something so obvious we'll all do a collective V-8 head bonk, though, so I may as well just bonk my forehead now in shame....
All the President's Men was about Watergate, so I am not sure how anyone would suggest it.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | November 04, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I'd have to say "Dave" is my favorite from this list.
Posted by: Bassnote | November 04, 2008 at 12:29 PM
"Election" is my absolute favourite from that list. Matthew Broderick`s best career performance? Arguable?
Posted by: Miguel | November 04, 2008 at 12:08 PM