Review of Advise & Consent (1962) by Reginald W — 16 May 2010

Bob (Walter Pigeon): You're the best there is Pet.

Dolly (Gene Tierney): Somebody said once, a friend of mine I'm sure, that any bitch with a million bucks and a big house, and a good caterer, could be a social success in Washington. Do you think I'm a bitch?

Bob: You're a perfectly nice one if you are.

On first viewing, one of my very favorite American films of the sixties, and a favorite Preminger, perhaps my very favorite of those at that. A film that showed me it's meaning through the actions and choices of its characters, in turn revealed by some great performances demonstrating balance and insight. The look and feel of the film is beautiful, slow-moving camera, full scenes. The tension is steady, at times tight, but overall this film breathes at well over two hours. Thematically it's somewhat familiar, tried and true values of fairness, etc., and we've seen some of it before in cinema, notably Mr. Smith. However Advist And Consent shows us a new flexibility rising in American government. People still do anything to keep their jobs or get better ones, lie and cheat, avoid truths of all sorts, but ultimately overall a system of balance tends to breed balanced players. When someone or something comes from the side careening against all players like a rabid dog, it's not ignored. A beautiful essay on the limits of power and the requirements of shared democracy across both sides of any political fence, and a damn fine film overall! Kudos to all involved, and especially for 1962, which for the time this film is a genine groundbreaker. Helps, of course, that White House correspondent Allen Drury wrote the book. The image of men and women behind the scenes is accurate. What the film warns against, outmoded ways and means of all kinds, it does so effectively, and unlike some political rants on film, with a clear eye towards where we might want to go, an eye to a new-moded future. We're still heading there and it's nice to see we're still working our way.