The Candidate

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The Candidate ★★★ 1972 (PG)

Realistic, satirical look at politics and political campaigning. Bill McKay (Redford) is a telegenic, idealistic lawyer whose father (Douglas) was once governor of California. Uninterested in politics, Bill is eventually persuaded to run for the Senate against bluff incumbent Jarman (Porter). Bill refuses to follow the party line but discovers the lure of political power when he begins to gain in the polls. Director Ritchie also worked with Redford on “Downhill Racer.” 105m/C VHS, DVD . Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Don Porter, Allen (Goorwitz) Garfield, Karen Carlson, Melvyn Douglas, Michael Lerner; D: Michael Ritchie; W: Jeremy Larner; C: John Korty, Victor Kemper; M: John Rubinstein. Oscars '72: Story & Screenplay; Writers Guild '72: Orig. Screenplay.