An Unreasonable Man
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Movie Reviews of An Unreasonable Man
Movie Review: hypomaniac. on a white horse.
Summary: 5 Stars
Disc 2 is worth the price alone. Special Features on disc 2 include: Profile of a Charismatic Leader, What Kind of President Would Ralph Nader Be? and Debating the Role of Third Parties in the U.S. Influential professor of psychology at Harvard Howard Gardner, along with former associates-"Nader's Raders", and others offer insights. John Gartner, author of "The Hypomaniac Edge", says Nader has hypomania. He explains it is not a disorder but a rare temperament and one feature of this condition is the need for less sleep and ability to work at high levels of energy for extremely long periods of time. Gardner says Nader is like Freud in that he wasn't simply the best or most successful you-name-it of his generation (actor, lawyer, novelist, etc.) he was the creator of a new "sphere". The sphere created was consumer activism and each and every American as well as people throughout the world have greatly benefited.
The full lenth film fully covers the very long and and almost unbelievably productive career of Ralph Nader from his early battle with GM and their death-trap car all the through to his presidential campaigns. Whether you love him or hate him this is an excellent documentary and should be seen by anyone with an interest in our country, which like one review says should be everyone.
Critics do have there say although they surely would feel they needed more time. Perhaps several hours to complain. Former 60s activist Todd Gitlin mockingly dismisses Nader as "the knight on a white horse". Eric Alterman whines,"Thank you Ralph Nader for George Bush", "Thank you Ralph Nader for..." and he repeats this, each time thanking Nader for everything that is wrong now. (When I say whines I mean whines.) Ralph Nader--What springs to mind for you when you hear the name Ralph Nader? I was thinking of what comes to the mind of most Democrats. Lol. Maybe his life confronts us with the eternal conflict between principal and pragmatism. Or realism and idealism. But whatever. I feel like whining myself. I've been paying some attention the realistic, pragmatic Democratic Party. They've accomplished nothing but sucking especially since Bill Clinton. The Democratic Congress elected in '06 has received lower approval ratings than "the worst president in history"! And they should. I honestly cannot believe what a bunch of two-faced, lying, cowardly snakes make up that corrupt corportist party that at very best is *sometimes* the lesser of two evils, but evil nonetheless. So thank you Democrats! And I *hope* the new great man *changes* things but other than looking smart and speaking well, it's looking about as deep as a makeover for an old who-e.
Movie Review: Fascinating Look at an Iconic American Activist
Summary: 5 Stars
A welcome documentary on an iconic American activist which brings viewers up-to-date on the myriad and varied accomplishments Ralph Nader has brought forth through his political and organizational efforts. It also is a reflection of the times in which this film was produced. Nader has been marginalized by the mainstream media, and for too many, Nader is known primarily as someone who had the both the temerity and tenacity to provide the electorate with a real alternative to the two presidential candidates - candidates who had simplified and dumbed down the national issues. For this he has been roundly denounced for being a 'spoiler.' Ironic, since we live in a country which normally reveres competition as a way to improve both business and politics.
This documentary is a fascinating and informed look at a man who came into prominence in the idealistic 60's and continues to live out his ideals to encourage a too-often complacent and cynical public to get involved and actually participate in making democracy work.
This film serves as a Rorshach test - for those who resent Nader's activism, there are plenty of clips of disgruntled and disillusioned former Nader supporters and employees, who will reflect some viewers' own disenchantment. But for others, the film serves as a great reminder that Nader has not given up his ideals or his non-stop work ethic, even in an age where corporations largely call the shots due to a largely self-centered, compliant, and dumbed-down public.
This 2-DVD set also includes talking-heads featurettes, the best being: 'Profile of a charismatic leader' which explores Nader's unusual and vast intellect and drive; and 'Debating the role of third parties in the US', a look back on how 3rd parties have profoundly influenced the 2 major parties throughout American history and how difficult it is for 3rd parties to successfully run due to rigged election laws.
I also recommend Ralph Nader's recent book on the fine values his Lebanese immigrant parents instilled in their 4 children, and how these values profoundly influenced their activism and commitment in making this world a better place for future generations: The Seventeen Traditions.
Movie Review: "You go and vote for the least awful of two people, and every election cycle it gets worse." - Ralph Nader
Summary: 5 Stars
AN UNREASONABLE MAN (2007), which I just saw, is an inspiration and a hell of an education. While my plate was full during all of Nader's spectacular career, which resulted in paying little attention to what he was doing, this documentary taught me that he's responsible for everything from airbags to clean environs to the Freedom of Information Act- and beyond.
A descendant of Lebanese, a Christian and a Harvard law man, Nader lost his lawyer's standing when he took on General Motors back in the day. I vaguely recall it, and was happy to learn about that from this film- it isn't primarily about Nader's presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004.
I was one of the journalists who wrote against Nader running in 2004, alluding to "the votes he cost Al Gore in 2000". That is simply not accurate, as this documentary informs us: there were no less than around seven independent parties aside from Nader's, and they got a sliver of the electoral pie in 2000. Nader only cost us a few twinges of conscience.
I wish to God he'd won! President Nader! A fitting autumn-years accomplishment for a man married to his work. All my life, even when I was paying no attention, I admired Nader and so did my parents. Why everyone was so unforgiving, so seething with rage, about him running for president in 2000 is beyond me. Apparently he personally hurt a lot of his old pals.
Nader himself shoves that aside: you must fight, for the future and for the children of today. There's no room for nepotism, personality cults or favoritism here. I understand that when Nader called on some old pals to help with his 2004 campaign, they hung up on him. No gratitude!
Watch this great DVD and learn about a man who will surely be remembered in the future as perhaps the Last Great American. Never forget to thank Nader when you see your environment is a wee bit safer and cleaner, when the government divulges what it would rather hide, when corporations are held to the fire.
Thank whatever god is yours, for Ralph Nader.
Movie Review: An Unfeasible Man
Summary: 5 Stars
This film deserves every accolade it has received. It's probably the best documentary I've seen in the last 5 years, and man have I seen some documentaries. It is thought-provoking whenever it doesn't succeed at entertaining, and vice-versa.
This biopic does many things, deceptive and otherwise. Firstly, Nader is somehow made out to seem like a regular human, when, from other interviews, you can clearly tell he is a space alien sent as some sort of social experiment, possibly to see how long it takes for us to notice. Second of all, it reveals the unalloyed vitriol that Nader is forced to withstand, from Democratic partisans and other less-than-stable elements of the populace. Note to Democrats: the people who helped ruin the election chose between a guy with no chance and your party, what does that tell you? Eric Alterman is particularly repugnant, frothing at the mouth with venomous personal enmity in between miniature paroxysms.
The movie also makes some excellent points about American democracy, sometimes discreetly, sometimes more overtly, such as when Nader is being escorted away by police, despite having a valid pass to watch the debate between Bush and Gore. Good thing they stopped that crime before it was ever committed! A slightly unnerving vignette, to say the least.
If anything you'll see that Nader is essentially a decent guy, even if he is from another dimension, and in spite of some outlandish and sometimes not particularly coherent political beliefs. While I don't quite agree he fits the description of G.B. Shaw's quote from which the film takes its name, I'm certainly convinced he's a worthy subject for a documentary.
Movie Review: Must see documentary about a true consumer advocate that will stretch your thinking about our so-called "democracy"
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the documentary about consumer advocate and Presidential candidate Ralph Nader. I stayed up late watching this last night and feel like I need to see it again. I have wanted to see this since it came out in the theaters.
There is so much about this man that continually impresses me. I learned so much more than I thought I knew about Nader's background and tireless efforts as a consumer advocate over the span of several decades. The special features of this DVD were as good as the film itself, particularly the section about being a charismatic leader and how Mr. Nader's family background and upbringing shaped his academic and political career. I've always known that this man is a true intellectual with a brilliant mind. It is fascinating to hear people talk about his work ethic, philosophies of civic responsibility and political ideologies in the context of just how brilliant he is and how his mind works.
I can't say enough about this film. It will challenge everything you think about how our country functions, from the two party political system to the influence and power of major corporations over the common man. It is truly nauseating to think that we live in a culture such as this. For all the flack that Nader has received over recent years because of the 2000 election, no one can say that anyone has worked harder or longer for consumer rights and grassroots political change than this man. Whatever your political leanings or views of our so-called "democracy," you would do well to better yourself and your mind by viewing this film.