Running time: 137 minutes
Starring: John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Adrian Lester, Kathy Bates
Rating 7 out of 10
The Birdcage director Mike Nichols' political drama sees idealistic new recruit Henry Burton (Adrian Lester) joining the election campaign of southern Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta), whose concerted tilt at the White House is severely threatened when a bygone illicit liaison blows up in his face. Will wife Susan (Emma Thompson) stand by her man? Will campaign strategist Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton) find the spin to get them back on track? Will Henry cop off with media advisor Daisy (Maura Tierney)? And will trouble-shooter Libby (Kathy Bates) steal the show?
Answers to all of the above can be found within this interesting, if overlong study of American electioneering, with Travolta suitably puffed-up and cocksure, and leading a host of fine performances. Rising British thesp Lester needs to make a significant impact (and does) with a role almost continuously on screen, and Oscar nominated Kathy Bates chews her way through a couple of tailor-made scenes during the roller-coaster campaign drive.
Not perfect, but there's quality here, and mirrors the real-life soap opera currently besetting the most powerful western leader in the world quite pertinently.
