ELECTING REAGAN (Chris K. of USA)
Directed by Ben Affleck
Written by Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
Crew
Cinematography by John Toll
Edited By William Goldenberg
Cast
Michael Sheen as Simon Cartwright
Gary Oldman as Congressman Banks
Laura Linney as Emily Bordow
And
Ed Harris as Secretary of Education Jonathan Henshaw
Tagline: “On my worst day I can do better than his four years”
Synopsis:
State of the Race for Governor of California
by Emily Bordow, November 5th, San Francisco Chronicle :
Having served California’s 6th district for 14 years Congressman Banks announced his candidacy for Governor with a projected 69% of the vote one month from election day. Although a recent cover by TIME declared “Is Congressman Banks dead?”, has put question marks into the whereabouts of the Congressman. having missed the past three months of the legislative session with no public appearances his campaign manager, Simon Cartwright, has fielded a many questions to their opponent this November, Secretary of Education Jonathan Henshaw, who famously declared “California should split in half, one for the insane and the other for Republicans”. On October 12th I was given unfettered access to Congressman Banks campaign for Governor with the legal requirement that I not release the contents until after the election. Today is November 6th as we all know the election was yesterday and with recent events I felt compelled to release this. Walking into headquarters on the first day was stepping onto a war zone, you first see Simon Cartwright, the campaign manager, running back and forth holding four conversations at the same time. Near the closing of the day Congressman Banks made a surprise appearance where he was immediately rushed into an office when Simon exited and stated “be ready people, to my firm annoyance, the Congressman has scheduled a debate two days before the election. Throughout the next two weeks it a constant shuffling from canvassing, to fundraiser, to speech, to interviews all with the notable absence of the Congressman. Since the first day my only contact with the Congressman is his slight appearances from his house as Simon is let in while his staff and I waited. The morning of the campaign arrived and to my complete exasperation I was invited into that house with Simon meeting the Congressman with a proper introduction and an impromptu interview. This is when the discovery that night began to reveal itself, initially charming and courageous in response some answers did not match the liberal stalwart that haunted Republican leadership in the House of Representatives for all those years. Congressman Banks first public appearance on the campaign trail, during that debate between him and Conservative Secretary of Education Jonathan Henshaw during a heated debate over Immigration Reform the moderator said “Congressman Banks can we please move on?” To which the Congressman made no response, upon asking the question again the Congressman made a shocking reply. It should be noted before I divulge what occurred that the debate ended immediately after and Simon Cartwright informed us that “three months ago the Congressman was diagnosed with a moderate form of Alzheimer’s, for the past couple of weeks he has thought of himself as Ronald Reagan for periods of times”. If you feel mistaken you are not, during the debate at the previous moment mentioned the Congressman referred to himself as Ronald Reagan. Mr. Cartwright then quickly stated “The Congressman stated he wishes to continue this race and told me to say ‘On my worst day I can do better than his four years’” Upon arriving at the office the next day it was revealed to me by Simon that senior staff all knew and yet even volunteers still showed up to work.
We all know the results, Congressman Banks lost 48.7% to 49.4%, but to conclude I must come forth and state despite all that has occurred I still voted for Congressman Banks and I wish his families and this state the best because as his disease progresses we will lose an honest voice in politics, lord knows there are not enough of them left.
Press Section: The journey that Laura Linney’s Emily witnesses is a heart breaking character piece about a disease that eats away a beloved figure in American Politics. As a journalist who is allowed access into a campaign that had shut the door and locked the key was an inspired, subtle performance that concluded in her typing the final words into her laptop. Watching the final month of the campaign implode itself and lose an insurmountable lead with grace and elegance. Using Ronald Reagan as the piece that unwinds that figure is saddening because the man himself was struck with the terrible disease upon leaving the presidency. Ben Affleck stated he chose Reagan because he was the first President to utilize the “bully pulpit” in such a way that it would leave a lasting impression upon an individual almost 25 years since he was President. With a deft hand Ben Affleck has co-written and directed an American masterpiece that showcases the human spirit. In the center of all this is Gary Oldman’s heart wrenching performance that if done by any other actor would have collapsed terribly into insulting or forced. His compelling nature combined with Michael Sheen’s utter devotion to him despite his disease is quite remarkable as the two fight for his political life. Reviews quote “Gary Oldman has by far blown the competition away and crowned himself the winner of Best Performance of the decade”. Despite being on the screen for less than 30 minutes Gary Oldman leaves a lasting impression felt throughout every scene as Michael Sheen and Laura Linney share conversation and conflict as they travel throughout the film.
Awards Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director - Ben Affleck
Best Actor- Michael Sheen
Best Actress- Laura Linney
Best Supporting Actor- Gary Oldman
Best Original Screenplay- Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
Written by Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
Crew
Cinematography by John Toll
Edited By William Goldenberg
Cast
Michael Sheen as Simon Cartwright
Gary Oldman as Congressman Banks
Laura Linney as Emily Bordow
And
Ed Harris as Secretary of Education Jonathan Henshaw
Tagline: “On my worst day I can do better than his four years”
Synopsis:
State of the Race for Governor of California
by Emily Bordow, November 5th, San Francisco Chronicle :
Having served California’s 6th district for 14 years Congressman Banks announced his candidacy for Governor with a projected 69% of the vote one month from election day. Although a recent cover by TIME declared “Is Congressman Banks dead?”, has put question marks into the whereabouts of the Congressman. having missed the past three months of the legislative session with no public appearances his campaign manager, Simon Cartwright, has fielded a many questions to their opponent this November, Secretary of Education Jonathan Henshaw, who famously declared “California should split in half, one for the insane and the other for Republicans”. On October 12th I was given unfettered access to Congressman Banks campaign for Governor with the legal requirement that I not release the contents until after the election. Today is November 6th as we all know the election was yesterday and with recent events I felt compelled to release this. Walking into headquarters on the first day was stepping onto a war zone, you first see Simon Cartwright, the campaign manager, running back and forth holding four conversations at the same time. Near the closing of the day Congressman Banks made a surprise appearance where he was immediately rushed into an office when Simon exited and stated “be ready people, to my firm annoyance, the Congressman has scheduled a debate two days before the election. Throughout the next two weeks it a constant shuffling from canvassing, to fundraiser, to speech, to interviews all with the notable absence of the Congressman. Since the first day my only contact with the Congressman is his slight appearances from his house as Simon is let in while his staff and I waited. The morning of the campaign arrived and to my complete exasperation I was invited into that house with Simon meeting the Congressman with a proper introduction and an impromptu interview. This is when the discovery that night began to reveal itself, initially charming and courageous in response some answers did not match the liberal stalwart that haunted Republican leadership in the House of Representatives for all those years. Congressman Banks first public appearance on the campaign trail, during that debate between him and Conservative Secretary of Education Jonathan Henshaw during a heated debate over Immigration Reform the moderator said “Congressman Banks can we please move on?” To which the Congressman made no response, upon asking the question again the Congressman made a shocking reply. It should be noted before I divulge what occurred that the debate ended immediately after and Simon Cartwright informed us that “three months ago the Congressman was diagnosed with a moderate form of Alzheimer’s, for the past couple of weeks he has thought of himself as Ronald Reagan for periods of times”. If you feel mistaken you are not, during the debate at the previous moment mentioned the Congressman referred to himself as Ronald Reagan. Mr. Cartwright then quickly stated “The Congressman stated he wishes to continue this race and told me to say ‘On my worst day I can do better than his four years’” Upon arriving at the office the next day it was revealed to me by Simon that senior staff all knew and yet even volunteers still showed up to work.
We all know the results, Congressman Banks lost 48.7% to 49.4%, but to conclude I must come forth and state despite all that has occurred I still voted for Congressman Banks and I wish his families and this state the best because as his disease progresses we will lose an honest voice in politics, lord knows there are not enough of them left.
Press Section: The journey that Laura Linney’s Emily witnesses is a heart breaking character piece about a disease that eats away a beloved figure in American Politics. As a journalist who is allowed access into a campaign that had shut the door and locked the key was an inspired, subtle performance that concluded in her typing the final words into her laptop. Watching the final month of the campaign implode itself and lose an insurmountable lead with grace and elegance. Using Ronald Reagan as the piece that unwinds that figure is saddening because the man himself was struck with the terrible disease upon leaving the presidency. Ben Affleck stated he chose Reagan because he was the first President to utilize the “bully pulpit” in such a way that it would leave a lasting impression upon an individual almost 25 years since he was President. With a deft hand Ben Affleck has co-written and directed an American masterpiece that showcases the human spirit. In the center of all this is Gary Oldman’s heart wrenching performance that if done by any other actor would have collapsed terribly into insulting or forced. His compelling nature combined with Michael Sheen’s utter devotion to him despite his disease is quite remarkable as the two fight for his political life. Reviews quote “Gary Oldman has by far blown the competition away and crowned himself the winner of Best Performance of the decade”. Despite being on the screen for less than 30 minutes Gary Oldman leaves a lasting impression felt throughout every scene as Michael Sheen and Laura Linney share conversation and conflict as they travel throughout the film.
Awards Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director - Ben Affleck
Best Actor- Michael Sheen
Best Actress- Laura Linney
Best Supporting Actor- Gary Oldman
Best Original Screenplay- Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
