The Candidate1972
The Candidate (1972)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic 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.
The Candidate Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Bill McKay
as Marvin Lucas
as John J. McKay
as Howard Klein
as Sen. Crocker Jarmon
as Paul Corliss
as Nancy McKay
as Jarmon Narrator
as Henderson
as Starkey
as David
as Neil Atkinson
as Lynn
as Pilot
as Stationmaster
as Mabel
as Groupie
as Boy in Commercial
as Jaime
as Fleischer
as Wilson
as McKay Narrator
as Large Girl
as Watts Heckler
as Man in Urinal
as Magazine Editor
as Herself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Rich Jenkin
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Herself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Himself
as Dinner M.C.
Critic Reviews for The Candidate
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (3)
If this candidate doesn't prove to be a winner, I'll demand a recount.
Neither the authentic political atmosphere nor canny performances by Redford, Boyle and Porter go far to cut through the basic glibness of the film.
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.
Redford fancies himself so superior to the electoral process that he ends up with a completely fatuous characterization of a politician.
Redford's superior acting talents, which not-often-enough are tapped by the scripts he decides to do, are nearly all on display herein in a virtuoso peformance.
Ritchie and Redford's follow-up to Downhill Racer is one of the more intelligent films to have been made about political machinations in America.
Audience Reviews for The Candidate
A left-wing lawyer runs for the Senate, but the campaign forces him to make concessions in his values. Robert Redford, with his natural sense of integrity and propriety, is at his best in this film because we get to see that integrity slowly crumble. The change is subtle -- sometimes too subtle, to the point that the film's plot isn't fully realized -- but it's there. The film's plot follows McKay's campaign, and as the process of getting elected strips McKay of his principles, the political process is appropriately satirized. The best part of the film is the famous last line: "What do we do now?" which is a quote echoed by many a modern politician. Overall, while I think the film's subtlety worked against it at points, the overall message is ahead of its time.
Super Reviewer
A satirical and modern political chronicle.
Super Reviewer
A lot of fun. Reminds me of Bulworth, but not quite as good.
Super Reviewer
The Candidate Quotes
| Bill McKay: | What do I do now? |