The Candidate

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The Candidate

PG

1972

1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

89%

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35 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Without a candidate to run for the senate seat against admired Republican Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter), campaign manager Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) recruits leftist lawyer Bill McKay (Robert Redford). McKay's appearance piques the public's interest, and gradually Lucas pushes McKay toward a more centrist message. As McKay's original and honest platform gets watered down, his popularity increases so much that he is running even with Jarmon as Election Day approaches.

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Critics Consensus

The Candidate may not get all the details right when it comes to modern campaigning, but it captures political absurdity perfectly -- and boasts typically stellar work from Robert Redford to boot.

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Jay Cocks

TIME Magazine

Jun 29, 2018

Neither the authentic political atmosphere nor canny performances by Redford, Boyle and Porter go far to cut through the basic glibness of the film.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jun 29, 2018

Much of it has a pleasing air of accuracy. But Redford's inability to suggest any irony about himself finally sinks it -- it's the only sanctimonious satire you'll ever see.

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Jun 29, 2018

4/5

With Redford giving one of his best comedic performances, helped by a Oscar winning script, The Candidate is witty and charming, while looking good and proving quite memorable.

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David Elliott

Chicago Daily News

Oct 3, 2023

The synthetic quality of The Candidate, along with its sacrifice of substance for image, should make it offensive. It isn't, however, because it never tries to milk our emotions and is such visible fun with itself.

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Brett Doze

InSession Film

May 1, 2023

A-

The Candidate is both securely of its time while also featuring parallels to the performative aspects of the political system we continue to see today.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

3.5/5

On the heels of one of the ugliest elections in American history, “The Candidate” is a light and frothy escape by comparison.

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Keith B

@Okbullard Oct 27, 2026

Considering the glowing ratings I was pretty disappointed. It was ok, I watched it mainly because I've been a Redford fan since Butch Cassidy and I never saw this. I'd never want to watch it again.

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ed M

@RT80499164 Sep 8, 2026

Pretty good. Neat snapshot of politics in the '70's. Good performances by Robert Redford and Peter Boyle.

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Mickey B

@Mickerdoo Aug 10, 2026

I mean Redford is charming, has a good speech and I don’t hate his platform. I could see how he’d get some votes. Politics tires me.

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Shaun G

@RT66815191 Oct 21, 2025

Billed as a comedy or at least a satire, I felt the movie played itself too straight to come across as either. Perhaps the reality of modern politics has rubbed the satirical edge off of this 70s look at politics. Redford is likeable enough, but there were no 'laugh' moments, I felt it was too straight for comedy and not enough substance to be gripping. I watched the movie in small bursts to get through it.

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Matheus F

@matheusf_neto Sep 29, 2025

I love the script of this movie and the performances of Redford and Boyle.

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Atilla T

@Treviewd1nce Sep 24, 2025

Fell asleep towards the end. Also, how little has changed in our politics.

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Robert Redford

Bill McKay

Peter Boyle

Marvin Lucas

Melvyn Douglas

John J. McKay

Don Porter

Senator Crocker Jarmon

Allen Garfield

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Synopsis

Without a candidate to run for the senate seat against admired Republican Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter), campaign manager Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) recruits leftist lawyer Bill McKay (Robert Redford). McKay's appearance piques the public's interest, and gradually Lucas pushes McKay toward a more centrist message. As McKay's original and honest platform gets watered down, his popularity increases so much that he is running even with Jarmon as Election Day approaches.

Director: Michael Ritchie
Producer: Walter Coblenz
Screenwriter: Jeremy Larner
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Wildwood Enterprises, Redford-Ritchie Productions, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 50m

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