The Front Runner (2018)

The Front Runner should have been a more interesting film. Its subject, the deconstruction of Gary Hart’s failed campaign should be an interesting one. Filmed fast paced West Wing style with a stellar cast, it is hard to understand why The Front Runner is mostly boring.

For me I think most of it is how the film refuses to get passionate about its subject at all. In its attempt to remain rather neutral it also remains rather inert. Perhaps if the film had become passionate about something the audience could have too. There are moments when the film flirts with getting angry about something, such as issues of freedom of the press, but then backs off to ensure we are considering all sides. This mailaise doesnt give us much to get worked up about ourselves.

And for a cerebral film the film doesnt get very cerebral. It only scratches the surface of the issues it raises without getting too complicated about them. So in the end it feels like the Front Runner isn’t really about anything.

Perhaps another problem is the time we live in. Issues of politicians lying and sexual morals have all been thrown out the window afte 2016. The film’ls wrestling with moral character questions almost seem quaint in today’s political climate.

Perhaps The Front Runner is just too little too late.


The Front Runner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina, Sarah Paxton, Kevin Pollack
Director: Jason Reitman
Writers: Matt Bai, Jay Carson, Jason Reitman