The Democrats have a problem. They need someone to oppose a popular Republican running with “Keep America strong and sound” messaging. As such, they enlist an attractive alternative whose youthful appearance registers as fresh to voters.
That’s the premise of The Candidate (1972) starring Robert Redford as Bill McKay. Although he’s the son of former Governor John J. McKay (Melvyn Douglas), Bill has no plans to follow in his father’s political footsteps. Yet when he’s convinced a campaign can spotlight his pet causes (pro-bono legal assistance and free heath clinics), Bill agrees to challenge California incumbent Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter) for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Per the prodding of political consultant Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle), McKay soon tweaks his idealistic views to appeal to core constituents and expand the base with a more moderate stance on any of the timely topics from abortion to crime.
“You know what I’m gonna do?” poses McKay while brainstorming winning strategies. “Learn something about economics?” is Lucas’s humorous response. Instead of heeding this advice, McKay succumbs to style over substance slogans and becomes known as a candidate who “shoots from the hip and is hip when he shoots” to enamored young supporters.
When he’s not chasing a Malibu brushfire to gain free publicity, the charismatic candidate flirts with fans and beds a Gloria Steinem lookalike groupie (Susan Damante) despite the fact that he has a beautiful and intelligent wife (Karen Carlson) at home. In one scene, Redford reunites with his Inside Daisy Clover (1965) leading lady Natalie Wood. She plays herself as the two playfully exchange yogurt recipes in a crowded room.
The movie also includes cameos by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Vice President Hubert Humphrey; Democratic Senator George McGovern who ran for president in 1972; and politicians Alan Cranston, Jesse M. Unruh, John V. Tunney, and Sam Yorty, among others.
Thanks to the direction of Michael Ritchie, the film has a documentary feel even though it was initially considered a satire on the ways in which the media shapes public opinion. But compared to today’s online tactics, branding candidates for televised political ads seems downright quaint.
Nevertheless, the Oscar-winning screenplay by campaign speechwriter Jeremy Larner remains relevant after more than half a century. In fact, the film delivers a timeless punch when McKay notes, “This is a society divided by fear, hatred and violence. And until we talk about just what this society really is, then I don’t know how we’re going to change it.”
The Candidate can be streamed for a nominal fee on Prime Video.