billcr12 The Best Man is from 1964 and it could have been made today. Gore Vidal first wrote it as a play which he later adapted for the screen. Vidal had real life experience as an insider in politics. He was on a first name basis with JFK. Henry Fonda stars as an idealistic politician running for president. Cliff Robertson is his opponent in a primary before the election. The man has no scruples and will do anything to win the election. The wheeling and dealing are shown in a very realistic manner. Vidal's script cuts like a razor sharp scalpel. More then fifty years later and nothing has changed. We need more Gore Vidal's today to cut through all the BS.

dougdoepke The movie's a cynical look behind-the-scenes at American presidential politics. Conflicted idealist candidate Russell (Fonda) needs just a few more delegate votes to go over the top. But can he play the kind of political hardball necessary to get them. At the same time, ruthless candidate Cantwell (Robertson) won't hesitate to throw dirt from the past to discredit him. Trouble is that Russell will have to lower himself to Cantwell's level to stave off the attack, something that would injure his strong sense of character.Writer Vidal does a good job of dramatizing the conflict between ideals and practical politics. We all respect strong ideals, so Russell comes off as the good guy, conflicted, but basically what we think presidents are supposed to be. What I like is Vidal's questioning of whether ideals are enough qualification for the highest office. That comes about through Cantwell's questioning of whether his opponent is decisive enough to be a commander-in-chief. Of course, Cantwell is nothing if not decisive; he knows what he wants. On the other hand, Russell wavers when confronted with a difficult choice. After all, he's got many more norms than his rival to consider. However, Cantwell points out that such wavering could be fatal for a chief executive in a dire situation. Of course, this important point tends to get lost in the good guy – bad guy colorations between the two chief candidates. But the point is a telling one as it gets reflected in the movie's outcome, when Russell disqualifies himself from candidacy. Note too, that Cantwell is finally undone by the sheer drive that causes him to fatally misjudge Russell's character. After that, the movie leaves off on a rather ambiguous note despite the symbolism of an upward bound escalator. As a result, we're left wondering whether the best man has really won, especially since Merwin, the remaining candidate, remains a cypher.Director Schaffner does an excellent job of capturing the hurly-burly of a nominating convention. Knots of people are constantly bouncing off each other like billiard balls. How anything cogent could come out of such apparent disorder is hard to believe, but I guess it does. Meanwhile, writer Vidal's particular dislikes are also pretty close to the surface, especially as directed toward southern politicians, along with segregationists in general. At the same time, he appears to take the slimy deal making, blackmail, and betrayals, as an orthodox part of politics-as-usual. My only real complaint is with comedian-turned-actor, Shelley Berman. He plays his informer role almost as if it were shtick. His craven mannerisms are more comical than convincing. Too bad, because otherwise the movie manages a persuasive air of realism.All in all, the movie stands the test of time pretty well. Issues like legal segregation have faded, but the mechanics of political deal-making, et al., likely remain in effect. I'm glad the film doesn't take the easy way out by reinforcing good-guys-always-win beliefs, a regular feature of 50's films. Sure, Cantwell comes across as something of a political bad guy. But sometimes, bad guys can say incisive things, as Cantwell does here. While good guys, even though basically good, can be too cerebral for the job. And that seems to me an important lesson to note.

kenjha 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.

fimimix "The Best Man" shows only A PART of the shenanigans that politicians use to win, at all costs. I can't, at this minute, remember the title of the film based-on Gov Huey P. Long of Louisiana; I do, because I'm from that part of the country and knew some of the Long family."Wm. Russell" (Henry Fonda) is a rarity, the unknown character of honest men involved in government since Jimmy Carter. If you know anything about his administration, you'll remember he was powerless because he would not deal with crooked politicians. "Joe Cantwell" (Cliff Robertson) is the epitome of corruption and scandal-mongering. Kevin McCartney's role as the "whistle-blower" who's attempting to provide evidence that "Cantwell" was involved with soldiers being discharged for homosexual activity, is right-on. You just know that "Cantwell" was guilty, too; "Mabel Cantwell's" (Edie Adams) reaction to the possibility the situation was about to be exposed should tell the story. Lee Tracy as former President Art Hockstader was brilliantly played, a wily ole fox. That "Russells" refused to get involved with mud-slinging (and throwing his influence behind one of the 2nd-tier candidates) is a testament of how desperate this country is for a moral government, and seems unable to achieve it. FDR knew how to get results, but his drawing this country from the dregs of The Depression and leading the USA to become the greatest country yet, is a testament to how beloved he was. I recall seeing him in an open jeep (in a parade), with no security-guards....There must be politicians like "Russell," but they don't seem to be able to become known to the voters. All the hype on the current (2007) presidential campaign is a prime example. "The Best Man" was heart-warming. I enjoyed every role, especially Ann Sothern and Mahalia Jackson. Let's have more of these enlightening films. Everyone should see it.