"The Best Man"

"The Best Man"
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Name	The Best Man
Director	Gore Vidal
Producer	United Artists

"The Best Man" is a 1964 American drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and written by Gore Vidal, based on his 1960 play of the same name. The film stars Henry Fonda as William Russell, a presidential candidate, and Cliff Robertson as Joe Cantwell, his opponent, with Edie Adams, Margaret Leighton, and Ann Sothern in supporting roles, similar to other Academy Award-nominated films like 12 Angry Men and The Manchurian Candidate. The movie explores the themes of politics, morality, and ambition, as seen in the works of Aristotle, Plato, and Machiavelli. The film's script was influenced by the 1960 United States presidential election and the 1964 United States presidential election, which featured candidates like John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Introduction

The film "The Best Man" is a thought-provoking drama that delves into the world of politics, where candidates like Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower have made their mark. The story is set during a Democratic National Convention, where two presidential hopefuls, William Russell and Joe Cantwell, engage in a fierce battle for the nomination, reminiscent of the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the 1972 Democratic National Convention. The film features an ensemble cast, including Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, and Edie Adams, who have appeared in other notable films like The Grapes of Wrath, Charly, and The Apartment. The movie's themes and characters have been compared to those in the works of William Shakespeare, George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley, such as Hamlet, 1984, and Brave New World.

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around the story of William Russell, a presidential candidate who is vying for the Democratic Party nomination, similar to John F. Kennedy's campaign in the 1960 United States presidential election. Russell is a liberal candidate who is opposed by Joe Cantwell, a more conservative candidate, played by Cliff Robertson, who has also appeared in films like PT 109 and Three Days of the Condor. As the convention progresses, both candidates engage in a series of debates and speeches, trying to win over the delegates and secure the nomination, much like the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Great Debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The film's plot is also influenced by the Watergate scandal and the Iran-Contra affair, which involved politicians like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. The story takes a dramatic turn when a scandal involving Cantwell's past threatens to derail his campaign, similar to the Gary Hart scandal and the Bill Clinton scandal.

Characters

The characters in the film are complex and multi-dimensional, with each one bringing their own unique perspective to the story, much like the characters in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Jane Austen. William Russell, played by Henry Fonda, is a liberal candidate who is driven by his ideals and principles, similar to Franklin D. Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt. Joe Cantwell, played by Cliff Robertson, is a more conservative candidate who is willing to do whatever it takes to win, reminiscent of Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson. The film also features a range of supporting characters, including Russell's wife, played by Margaret Leighton, and Cantwell's mistress, played by Edie Adams, who have appeared in other notable films like The Importance of Being Earnest and The Apartment. The characters' interactions and relationships are also influenced by the works of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Erik Erikson.

Production

The production of the film was a complex and challenging process, involving a range of filmmakers and actors, including Gore Vidal, Franklin J. Schaffner, and Henry Fonda. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles and New York City, with a budget of over $1 million, similar to other films like The Godfather and Chinatown. The film's script was written by Gore Vidal, who is known for his work on films like Ben-Hur and Caligula. The film's score was composed by Morton Gould, who has also worked on films like The Sting and The Front Page. The production team also included cinematographer Haskell Wexler, who has worked on films like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Reception

The reception of the film was largely positive, with many critics praising its thought-provoking themes and strong performances, similar to the reception of films like 12 Angry Men and The Manchurian Candidate. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Henry Fonda and Best Supporting Actress for Edie Adams. The film has also been recognized by the American Film Institute, which has included it in its list of the 100 Greatest American Movies, along with films like Citizen Kane and The Godfather. The film's influence can be seen in other political dramas like The West Wing and House of Cards, which have featured actors like Martin Sheen and Kevin Spacey. The film's themes and characters have also been compared to those in the works of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Ray Bradbury, such as 1984, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451. Category:American drama films