The Front Runner movie is a 2018 drama released at the Telluride Film Festival and directed by Jason Reitman. It stars Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, and Sara Paxton. When a candidate is a front-runner for the presidency, his campaign suddenly becomes at risk.
Welcome to politics, a world where everyone wants to climb to the most prestigious #1 spot. Namely, become president. In fact, for that achievement, candidates need to become senators before being taken into consideration for the presidency.
Therefore, between the years 1975 and 1987, Gary Hart (played by Jackman) offered his services as a senator of Colorado, U.S.A. Hence, this opened the doors for him to compete in the 1988 presidential election. So, with his wife, Lee (Farmiga), he was up for the challenge.
At rallies and with a great team, including his manager, Dixon (Simmons), Hart would speak about valuable ideas for a better future. But more importantly, the citizens supported him. Thus, becoming the front runner in the movie.
In the late ’80s and the beginning of the ’90s, journalism had its rise. Clearly, once in the public eye, everyone will want to tarnish your persona. Regardless, Hart felt undefeatable.
One day, he meets a young woman named Donna (Paxton). Soon he learns that the candidates are the least of his worries but the tabloids. They will go to lengths to diminish his future.
“The Front Runner” is based on true events. It portrays Gary Hart’s three-week period that led to the 1988 presidential campaign.
Moreover, what I liked about the movie is revisiting a pre-internet era, and how the news spread across the globe.
Hugh Jackman delivers a well-acting role. He has proved he can tackle serious and funny roles as shown in “Deadpool and Wolverine.”
He won the “Actor Award” at the “Hollywood Film Awards” (2018). On the other hand, despite having limited on-screen time, the actress Sara Paxton leaves a mark with her performance.
Watch the next interview discussing her role in the “Front Runner” film.
