After suffering back-to-back commercial and critical disappointments with Labor Day and Men, Women & Children, Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman stepped away from the camera for a few years, leaving some to wonder if he could ever replicate his string of late 2000s hits. But Reitman is back in a big way in 2018. Tully, his latest collaboration with writer Diablo Cody and star Charlize Theron, debuted to a strong reception at Sundance, even if it didn't tear up the box office upon its release in May. Just months after that film's premiere, Reitman is heading to the fall festival circuit with The Front Runner, a portrait of the doomed 1988 presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Gary Hart. With Hugh Jackman already earning awards buzz for his portrayal of Hart, the film is preparing to debut at this weekend's Telluride Film Festival, followed by a bow at next week's TIFF. Coinciding with the official announcement of the Telluride slate, Sony released the first trailer for the film earlier today- watch it below!
Considering just how bad things have gotten in modern politics, some have wondered if the story of Gary Hart's failed presidential campaign will come off as quaint, especially in comparison to some of the scandals of the Trump era. After all, no mere affair could derail a candidacy in 2018. Trump said and did far worse and still got elected. Even the Clinton scandals of the 1990s strike me as considerably more controversial than Hart's extra-marital encounters. So what's the relevance of this story, which comes from a bygone era where dignity still mattered?
I think it's a fascinating idea for the marketing team at Sony to position the Hart story as ground zero for the injection of gossip and scandal into politics. That's an angle I didn't quite expect, and it could potentially come off as forced if the story isn't up to par. Still, it certainly confirms that Reitman and the studio won't be shying away from confronting modern political issues in a direct manner, which will either be suitably compelling or a little obnoxious.
As a film, The Front Runner looks like something of a tragicomedy, a quirky, unhinged odyssey into a mannered world that is quickly coming undone. I haven't loved what I've seen of Reitman's previous work, but this looks like an interesting change of pace. Plus, who doesn't want to see Hugh Jackman dive into such a dynamic and challenging role? The supporting cast is stellar too- Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina, and many more. We'll have to gauge the temperature after this weekend's Telluride premiere, but for now, I'm enthused by what I've seen.
The Front Runner will hit theaters on November 6, just in time for Election Day. Also, check out this great new poster for the film.
Image: Sony
Considering just how bad things have gotten in modern politics, some have wondered if the story of Gary Hart's failed presidential campaign will come off as quaint, especially in comparison to some of the scandals of the Trump era. After all, no mere affair could derail a candidacy in 2018. Trump said and did far worse and still got elected. Even the Clinton scandals of the 1990s strike me as considerably more controversial than Hart's extra-marital encounters. So what's the relevance of this story, which comes from a bygone era where dignity still mattered?
I think it's a fascinating idea for the marketing team at Sony to position the Hart story as ground zero for the injection of gossip and scandal into politics. That's an angle I didn't quite expect, and it could potentially come off as forced if the story isn't up to par. Still, it certainly confirms that Reitman and the studio won't be shying away from confronting modern political issues in a direct manner, which will either be suitably compelling or a little obnoxious.
As a film, The Front Runner looks like something of a tragicomedy, a quirky, unhinged odyssey into a mannered world that is quickly coming undone. I haven't loved what I've seen of Reitman's previous work, but this looks like an interesting change of pace. Plus, who doesn't want to see Hugh Jackman dive into such a dynamic and challenging role? The supporting cast is stellar too- Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina, and many more. We'll have to gauge the temperature after this weekend's Telluride premiere, but for now, I'm enthused by what I've seen.
The Front Runner will hit theaters on November 6, just in time for Election Day. Also, check out this great new poster for the film.
Image: Sony
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