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The Hunting of the President (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:56
Fresh:41
Rotten:15
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Though this doc has an obvious partisan bias, it presents a compelling case.
Theatrical Release:Jun 18, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: Adapted from the book of the same title, this documentary uses dramatic narration (via actor Morgan Freeman), ominous music, and humorous stock footage to develop tension, drama, and outrage in... Adapted from the book of the same title, this documentary uses dramatic narration (via actor Morgan Freeman), ominous music, and humorous stock footage to develop tension, drama, and outrage in telling the story of the shady conservative republican conspiracy that tried for ten long years to discredit Bill and Hillary Clinton. Trumped up charges concerning Whitewater, along with scandals involving Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, and Monica Lewinsky are just the beginning. The rabid hysteria-mongering of Ken Starr and his unquestionably partisan independent council wasted millions of tax dollars in an ultimately fruitless attempt to impeach President Clinton for their own personal and political reasons. Like similar examinations of America's ills, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE and SUPERSIZE ME, this trenchant documentary pulls no punches in its examination of greed, media manipulation, self-serving politics, and witch-hunting. Though writer-director team Harry Thomason and Nickolas Perry certainly exhibit their own liberal bias here, there is no denying the credibility of their talking heads, who include Susan McDougal (imprisoned for two years when she refused to lie about Clinton's involvement in Whitewater) and former right-wing conservative journalist David Brock. Last but not least, a group of Arkansas low lives appear, who the conservative media initially used to embroil Clinton in his early sex scandals. [More]
Director: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry, Douglas Jackson
Director: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry, Douglas Jackson
Screenwriter: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry
Producer: Douglas Jackson
Composer: Bruce Miller
Studio: Regent Releasing
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Reviews for The Hunting of the President
The film wrestles only fleetingly with how profligate Clinton was in his personal risk- taking, and how that jeopardized his presidential project.
A movie that will leave you with exactly the same opinions you had before you saw it. In other words, a movie that's not very effective.
For a movie that desperately wants to be jazzy and light on its feet, it's sadly heavy-handed.
Sacrifices credibility not only by the fact that it was co-directed and co-written by the obviously partisan Harry Thomason (along with Nickolas Perry), but also because of its cheesy cinematic style.
Overwrought and often hysterical, filled with distracting montages and portentous drumbeats, the documentary feels as cheesy as its subject -- or its smiling villain, Witchfinder-General Kenneth Starr.
This look at the Clinton years is weighted down with bad style, overly familiar faces and a far-too-friendly tone.
Too cheesy and clumsy to have earned a theatrical booking outside of a few film festivals and fund-raisers without the profitable precedent of 'Fahrenheit 9/11'...
Even those sympathetic to the picture's cause will recognize it as a case of shoddy journalism, not so much due to its partisan mind-set but because it lacks clarity and revelation.
Contains little that is particularly new or compelling, save an emotional interview with Whitewater principal Susan McDougal.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
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