Real-life politics seems stranger than fiction, and even when we see movies based on real-life stories about politicians, we often find it hard to believe. For nearly 100 years, there have been movies about political machines, senators, presidents, Congress, and elections.
As Election Day approaches, here are ten political movies to watch and screenplays to read, from dramas and comedies to true stories and conspiracies.
Script for this article
mr smith goes to washington (1939)
screenwriter: Sidney Buchman, Louis R. Foster and Miles Connolly
This Frank Capra classic starring Jimmy Stewart tells the story of a hopeful but naive young man who is appointed to the state Senate seat when a vacancy opens. senator. While he’s happy to take on the role, there are sinister forces surrounding him eager to test his moral compass. As the new senator struggles in his powerful new position, he meets his hero—who he learns is corrupt—and finds his way through the twisted political process.
It’s Stewart’s health that drives the film, as audiences look to him to run his country against corrupt and malevolent forces who seem more hungry for power than wanting to do the right thing.
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Kennedy Airport (1991)
screenwriter: Jim Mars, Jim Garrison and Oliver Stone
Perhaps no film has influenced conspiracy theories more than “Theory” Kennedy Airport. Based on the book by Jim Garrison and Jim Mars, Kennedy Airport Determined District Attorney Garrison (Kevin Costner) believes that there is a significant cover-up in the assassination of John F. Kennedy and that it could not be the work of a lone wolf. Through interviews and trials, Garrison hopes to expose the truth to the public and will stop at nothing to ensure that his theory is exposed that Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby did not act alone.
The three-hour epic was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, and fit in with the conspiracy/government thrillers that were popular in the late 1980s and 1990s.
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dave (1993)
screenwriter: Gary Ross
This light-hearted comedy follows Dave (Kevin Kline), a lookalike who is used by the White House to make small appearances and local stunts (such as a car dealership) as the President of the United States. One day, the real president suffers a stroke, so the Secret Service thinks it would be a good idea to have Dave play the role of the most powerful man in the world while the real president recovers. This seemed like a good plan until Dave decided to take over the presidency, much to the chagrin of those who thought they could use him as a puppet.
As they become increasingly hostile to Dave, and the president’s wife (Sigourney Weaver) begins to believe her husband is not who he says he is, Dave must rise up and become an ordinary man in an extraordinary position.
The film requires a lot of skepticism, but overall it’s a lovely, upbeat story about how government can work for the people when those with good intentions are at the helm.
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Read more: Situation Comedy: Situation Comedy to Make You Laugh
President of the United States (1995)
screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin
Sometimes, Hollywood makes sweet movies that show presidents and politics in a beautiful light. dave is one, President of the United States It’s another one. This story comes from Aaron Sorkin, who later created west wing, Michael Douglas plays a recently absent president who falls in love with a lobbyist played by Annette Bening during election season. As much as the president wanted to win re-election, he put his chances at risk by dating someone shortly after his wife’s death and opening the door for political opponents to question his character.
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Nickerson (1995)
screenwriter: Stephen J. Revere, Christopher Wilkinson and Oliver Stone
After solving the conspiracy surrounding the Kennedy assassination, Oliver Stone decided to challenge the dark and politically cunning mind of Richard Nixon. This is a complete biopic about Nixon’s life, starting with his days growing up in California and ending with his downfall after Watergate.
The film features a cast that includes Anthony Hopkins (as Nickerson), Joan Allen, and Paul Sorvino, and offers a unique way to present a biography that doesn’t follow a narrative timeline .
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election (1999)
screenwriter: Tom Perrotta, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
While the film is not a story based on national politics, its satire of high school elections reflects the absurdity of the campaign. The film tells the story of a high school teacher who wants to defeat his lively and serious student for class president. So he chooses the popular but not-so-bright kid and pits him against the more qualified Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon). However, Mr. McAllister’s (Matthew Broderick) attempt to sabotage her election encounters a series of unfortunate events as he struggles to maintain his dignity and push his obsession to the next level. Dark place.
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Read more: Comedy goes dark: dark comedy movies that make us laugh into the abyss
milk (2008)
screenwriter: Dustin Lance Black
The film tells the true story of a man who became the first openly gay elected official after winning a position on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The film stars Sean Penn as the Oscar-winning Harvey Milk and follows the changing times as Milk opens a store in San Francisco’s growing gay community in the 1970s.
The film shows the struggles Milk and those around him, including his boyfriend, faced in fighting for equal rights. Once Milk wins the seat, he must work with several people who actively oppose his politics.
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Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013)
screenwriter: Danny Strong
Learn about the history of presidents and their actions during events such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Era, and throughout the 1980s. housekeeper Provides a first-hand account of a White House butler who served eight presidents from Truman to Reagan. The film could show filmmakers how to write scripts that are broad but focused on a single character who witnesses history.
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front runner (2018)
screenwriter: Matt Bai, Jay Carson and Jason Reitman
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when if politicians were caught up in a scandal, it would affect their ability to compete in elections, and the shame would lead to their resignation. This was the focus at the time front runnerabout U.S. Sen. Gary Hart, who was considered a leading contender in the 1988 presidential primary until a Miami Herald reporter photographed him with a woman, sparking romance rumors . The front-runner must work to repair his reputation or go down in history as just another forgotten politician running for higher office.
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vice (2018)
screenwriter: Adam McKay
There are not many modern politicians as polarizing or enigmatic as Vice President Dick Cheney. Adam McKay, who previously created Will Ferrell comedies, has produced a comprehensive biopic centered on the controversial Cheney. The film follows his coming of age as vice president and political career, telling the story of a man who gained power, tried to hold on to it, and believed the country needed to do whatever was necessary to keep it safe — and how he won The story of political games.
vice With a unique narrative style, it should be read by screenwriters eager to create their next biopic.
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There are countless politically focused films, some based on real politicians or events, while others use positions of power to tell dramatic, comedic or thrilling stories. If you want to write a movie with politics at its core, spend time reading these scripts during this election instead of spending too much time reading social media sites.
