State of the Union
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Movie Reviews of State of the Union
Movie Review: WHERE IS GRANT MATTHEWS TODAY WHEN WE NEED HIM??
Summary: 5 Stars
The story begins with Kay Thorndike (Lansbury) rushing to the side of her dying father, Sam Thorndike, newspaper publisher baron. He challenges her to remain ruthless and get back at the Republican Party which he feels betrayed his chance to be president. Kay decides the best way to get to the White House is by backing (with all her personal assets and the newspapers she controls) her good friend and wealthy aviation manufacturer Grant Matthews (Tracy). Rumors have linked Matthews and Thorndike romantically because he is unofficially separated from his wife Mary Mathews (Hepburn). A public image of a happy marriage is important to a successful campaign and Thorndike and company set about to get the marriage back on track, at least for the public. Matthews knows that Mary is no pushover and will not be manipulated for the sake of his campaign. Yet Mary believes in him and knows that at the core his ability to be honest and his business skills are what the country needs, especially someone outside the influence of the Washington insiders. She decides to wholeheartedly back Grant's run for the nomination all the while fighting back the rumors of his unfaithfulness and the influence of the ruthless Thorndike. This begins the tug of war between Mary and Thorndike as to how the campaign should be run - total honesty and openness or politically shrewd playing all sides. It would be hard not to have an entertaining film, especially about such a hot topic, with the stars involved and under the direction of Frank Capra. A lesser known gem of Tracy and Hepburn, this is a great time to pull it out and watch. Maybe there is still a Grant Matthews lurking out there that we could nominate. For aviation buffs, there is a great scene where a couple of Grant's test pilots pull up alongside the campaign plane and challenge him to a little game of 'chicken' in the air. The picture quality is excellent. WWW.LUSREVIEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM.
Movie Review: An Important Political Satire
Summary: 5 Stars
A Democrate or Republican, Liberal or Conservative, Moderate or Independent, I think everyone should see State of the Union, Frank Capra's masterful satire of politics. What struck me about this one in particular is how relevant it is today world of politics. Spencer Tracy stars as Grant Matthews, an idealistic business man with no notions of getting into politics. Enter Elenor Thornedyke, a hardened newspaper woman, with dreams of finding a canidate for president that she can control. Knowing the married Matthews has feelings for her, she uses them to make him see his chances to become president. And even though they have a strained marriage, even his wife, Mary, can see what a good president he would make. So he decides to run. Grant starts off strong by speaking the truth and not playing politics, but soon Thornedyke strikes at him and causes him to make compromises. Again and again, he begins to speak with politics rather than his convictions, and it tears him down piece by piece. Frank Capra in this film uses an equal balance of comedy and drama to make this film work. And as always, he appeals to the patriotic side of Americans, and makes you love our country despite it's faults. Not quite as classic as his Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or You Can't Take it With You, but still a worthy film that beats most films that can be made today. Frank Capra is a class act in my book, and still remains my favorite film maker of all time.Movie Review: A overlooked Tracy, Hepburn, and Frank Capra film
Summary: 5 Stars
This has become my favorite Tracy and Hepburn film. As with most Frank Capra films the ultimate political message is a bit sappy but the film has a superb cast, it's funny, and, as an Iowan who has survived many Presidential campaigns, I know it rings true. Spencer Tracy tries to win the Republican nomination while Katherine Hepburn, his wife, worries about his ties to newspaper publisher and manipulative presidential kingmaker Angela Lansbury. Cynical Van Johnson, a columnist for Lansbury, starts to like Tracy and Hepburn and starts to believe that Lansbury and her political hacks are the last thing Tracy and Hepburn need. Lansbury has the same chill she honed to perfection in "The Manchurian Candidate". Van Johnson always shines as the cynic with a heart of gold. Tracy and Hepburn benefit from the goofy charm that Capra can provide. My wife and I can watch this film over and over again. Then get "Desk Set", another addictive Tracy and Hepburn movie that should be better known.Movie Review: State of the Union
Summary: 5 Stars
Frank Capra, unparalleled purveyor of populist Americana, sets his sights on the smarmy, corrupt practices that get people elected to high office. Though some will focus on little dated touches, the film's underlying message still manages to sound prophetic. Tracy delivers a perfectly balanced portrayal of a principled man momentarily blinded by the seduction of raw power. While Kate always seems at her best opposite her real-life partner, it's Angela who steals the film as the seductive, ruthless, ice-cold Kay-certainly a long way from "Murder, She Wrote"! A wise-cracking Van Johnson and old veteran Adolphe Menjou round out a top-flight cast playing slick, cynical operators in Grant's camp. In all, a still relevant tale, imbued with intelligence and heart.Movie Review: Evil is attacked and Good prevails
Summary: 5 Stars
In most new films, evil is celebrated. In this film it is condemned. Politicians are really exposed for how evil many of them really are. But, like Capra movies, he gives you a take on how politicians really should be. The ending is such a brilliant delight! It has to be one of the best speeches a politician could ever give!! Its sad how all of these great Capra films are a dream of characters who actually do the right thing! To bad we have to stop the movie and go out among [...]. I wanna be around the Capra characters!!