The Front Runner

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina, Kaitlyn Dever

Director: Jason Reitman

Based on the book "All The Truth is Out" by Matt Bai

It’s hard not to be reminded of current events when watching The Front Runner, Jason Reitman’s film chronicling the fall of Democratic candidate Gary Hart. After finishing second for the Democratic nomination in 1984, Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman) is, well, the front runner to not only take the democratic nomination in 1988, but the Presidency as well. Despite hints of a brief separation in the past, his wife Lee (Vera Farmiga) and daughter Andrea (Kaitlyn Dever) are behind him every step of the way. Gary is smart, focused, and in touch with what the country needs. He’s also a very private person about his past and his family, often dodging questions and wanting to stay focused on the future. He even issues a challenge to press inquiring about his personal life to follow him around, but warns them they will be bored. With three weeks left until the Democratic election and media following his campaign trail closely, it would take something colossal to shift the political tide. That shift quickly happens after an ill advised trip to a private yacht party where he meets Donna Rice (Sara Paxton). When The Miami Herald catches wind of it due to an anonymous tip, they take Gary up on his offer to be follows. They quickly break the news that Gary and Donna are carrying on an affair and she is living in his townhouse. Soon, Gary sees his promising political career begin to go up in smoke. Based on the book “All the Truth is Out” by Matt Bai (who also shares screenplay credit), Gary Hart’s charismatic and intelligent personality is put on full display. It’s easy to see why he was such an appealing candidate. It helps that Reitman has Hugh Jackman in the role, who uses every ounce of charm in his body in the role. But Jackman also is able to tap into Hart’s potential darkness, especially once the Press turn on him after the affair is revealed. The script is the biggest issue here as it won’t commit to whether Hart is lying, which might prove frustrating for people who are looking for answers. Reitman decides to leave it up to the audience, much like the American public had to in 1988. What initially feels admirable, ultimately fails due to a script that is closed off to any insight into Lee or Donna or really anyone who surrounds Gary. His staff is filled with loyal people who brush off any allegation against Gary, treat all the press terribly, and don’t really stop to think if Gary had really done it. It would have served the script better to focus less on Gary and open up more to how it affects the people around him. There is a brief moment where it looks like they get there with Lee. She says something to the effect of “not yet but maybe later”. In the only on screen text concluding the film it says they are still together to this day. Ok, but why did she choose to stay with him? The movie also doesn’t pick in lane when it comes to the press. At times, it is on their side and backing the idea that the public has the right to know about the past and personal lives of the people we elect into office. But there are moments where the film condemns them. It’s a weird message to send. In the end, with a poorly structured script and mixed messages, the film proves to be a frustrating watch. C