Tired of political pundits’ constant need to put a narrative spin on the current election cycle? Turn to Hollywood to do fiction right. Here are some great election-themed movies to celebrate the occasion.
The American President
Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s warm-up for “The West Wing,” this endlessly charming romantic comedy shows that Sorkin has heart aplenty to match his mouth.
A crinkly-eyed and surprisingly suave Michael Douglas stars as the titular commander-in-chief, while Annette Benning shines as the lobbyist with whom he loves, fights, and does the rom-com tango. Despite the genre’s clichés, the movie is more than salvaged by the believably easy chemistry of the leads and a rat-a-tat rapport shared by Douglas’ POTUS and a staff played by the likes of Martin Sheen and an in-his-yuppie-prime Michael J. Fox.
Oh, and there’s an election. Almost earnestly optimistic about government, this film is an undeniable delight.
