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.

60's flick about political mudslinging between two candidates who are vying for their party's nomination for president. The action takes place at the convention as both Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson dig up the dirt about each other. Compared to today's politics this 64 film actually seems tame. Fun to watch especially during a presidential election year.

A sharp as nails look at US politics, maybe a bit old fashioned, but in a good way, with great performances and writing, and very well put together. It pits the packaged candidate of "the people", a scary Cliff Robertson against the principled liberal played by Henry Fonda, with Lee Tracy as the dying ex-president whose endorsement both vie for. While he favors Robertson for his decisiveness, he fears his utter lack of principles, but can't support the wavering Fonda. Sex, mental illness, shady characters dredged up by political operatives (in this case a great part by Shelley Berman), the fabulous portrayals of both of the wives (especially a cute and dangerous Edie Adams), the film transcends the characters, and hits home as much today as when it came out in 1964.