zkonedog There are a lot of complimentary things one could say about HBO's "All The Way": great acting, historical ambiance, and cohesion of narrative. What really makes this a truly great film, however, is how its themes are just as relevant and striking here and now as they were in the 1960s.For a basic plot summary, "All The Way" tells the story of President Lyndon B. Johnson's (Bryan Cranston) first year in office. The primary focus is on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the type of political and social upheaval/compromises that here undertaken to make it a reality. Key personal/political figures of the early Johnson Administration also feature heavily, such as Martin Luther King Jr. (Anthony Mackie), Lady Bird (Melissa Leo), Senator Richard Russell (Frank Langella), Senator Hubert Humphrey (Bradley Whitford), & J. Edgar Hoover (Stephen Root).It is amazing (and equal parts inspiring and sad) to watch "All The Way" and understand how the Civil Rights Act was neither the beginning nor the end of race issues in this country. In this current era of Black Lives Matter and other racial-based demonstrations fighting for justice, the struggles of Dr. King, the NAACP, the American government, and the populace at large are driven home even further (as they are so much on the forefront of politics and society right now).Acting-wise, the performances are solid all-around, with Cranston especially shining (when does he ever not?!) as LBJ (from what I have read/seen, an uncanny resemblance in terms of mannerisms). Cranston first inhabited this role on Broadway in 2014, so it makes sense that he is the most comfortable here.Thus, with the combination of tremendous acting and incredibly relevant themes, I consider "All The Way" to be a biopic of the highest order (my only slight complaint would be it perhaps could have been trimmed by 15 minutes or so). I'm a big fan of the biopic genre, as I feel like it has so much power (along with a high degree of responsibility, obviously) to bring the past alive and more relate-able than a textbook or tome ever could. "All The Way" succeeds wildly in this regard.

SnoopyStyle In the aftermath of the JFK assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson (Bryan Cranston) becomes the new president. He pushes for the Civil Rights Act. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Anthony Mackie) is leery of him gutting the voting rights out of the bill but he is taken by LBJ's promise of a war on poverty. J. Edgar Hoover (Stephen Root) has King under constant surveillance. Senator Hubert Humphrey (Bradley Whitford) leads the liberal wing and Johnson picks him as his VP. They are opposed by Senator Richard Russell (Frank Langella) of Georgia and the Dixiecrats. Lady Bird Johnson (Melissa Leo) is always by his side as he struggles for the next year to get elected.This is compelling history and probably as well told as can be in this amount of time on TV. It's a little messy as the movie dives into the sausage making. Bryan Cranston is a first rate actor although I expect LBJ to use his bulk against his smaller opponents more. The elevator scene is terrific for that reason. This is a great political TV movie.

Lee Eisenberg Far removed from his roles on "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Breaking Bad", Bryan Cranston plays Lyndon Johnson during his first year in office. Having taken the reins after the Kennedy assassination, Johnson made a strong effort to get the Civil Rights Act passed. "All the Way" - based on Robert Schenkkan's play - depicts the 36th president as a folksy type who sees that the time has come to do the right thing (ironically, it was around this time that he escalated the Vietnam War).Cranston does a fine job in the role, as does Melissa Leo as Lady Bird, and the rest of the cast as other political figures of the era. One important things that the movie makes clear is that LBJ faced a lot of opposition from the southern Democrats, who felt that he as a southern Democrat was betraying the party. Nevertheless, he pushed through the bill, knowing full well that it would cost his party the south. Also noted in the movie is the FBI's wiretapping of Martin Luther King Jr.The recent political-themed movies that Jay Roach has directed mark a sharp turn from the Austin Powers and "Meet the Parents" trilogies. And he's done a great job with this one. Everyone should see it.

Tony Heck "Everybody wants power, and if they say they don't they're lying." After the assassination of President Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson (Cranston) takes over and immediately goes to work on a Civil Rights bill. He throws everything he has behind it and loyalty, friendships and alliances are forged and lost in his quest for this dream. This is a movie that is right in my wheelhouse. I love politics and history, particularly the JFK assassination. I was really excited about watching this one. The movie takes place immediately after the assassination and doesn't hold anything back when it comes to Johnson. His paranoia, inadequacy, harshness and rudeness is fully on display. That really adds to the overall accuracy of the movie. Cranston does such an amazing job in this role that it is hard to actually believe it is him. The movie does an almost flawless job of showing the enigma that is President Johnson's quest for Civil Rights. On one hand everything he is fighting with everything he has to get equality, which is extremely admirable and is something to be commended. On the other hand, the way in which he does it makes enemies out of just about everyone, and leaves him unhappy and still paranoid about his legacy. As a reader and avid fan of history this movie seemed very accurate and because of that I highly recommend this. Overall, one of, if not, the best TV movie ever made, Cranston is incredible and this is one of the best historical movies I have seen. I loved this, but again, this is in my wheelhouse. I give this an A+.