The Best Man

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The Best Man

This film is about a fictional presidential race and it all takes place during the party's convention...and, interestingly enough, you never learn WHICH party this is supposed to be. The two frontrunners in this contested election are William Russell (Henry Fonda) and Joe Cantwell (Cliff Robertson) and both spend the movie scrambling to get enough votes to earn the nomination. As for Russell, he has a bit of baggage but despite this seems like a reasonably decent man. And, as for Cantwell, he will do just about anything to win...and is a master of the use of dirty tricks. Which of the men will grab the nomination? This is a really neat film because it is very well written and the acting is really good---especially Fonda and Lee Tracy, who plays an ex-president who wants to help pick the next candidate. It also shows the really ugly side of politics...the slanders, the insinuations and more. Overall, a really good film that manages to hold your interest throughout.

Two men vie for the presidential nomination of a party. Based on a play by Vidal, this is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the political machinations on the campaign trail. Although the name of the party is not identified in the film, the candidates display elements of both Democratic and Republican values. Fonda is the decent, old-school liberal while Robertson is his ruthless, right-leaning rival. Both turn in excellent performances. The standout in the fine supporting cast is Tracy as a former president who must decide which candidate to endorse. This is an ideal companion piece to "Advise and Consent," made a couple of years earlier and also starring Fonda.