Game Change - HBO



I remember hearing about HBO developing Game Change, not thinking much about it beyond that, mainly because I’m on the outer sphere of politics. After hearing a few people comment about how amazing Woody Harrelson is, I finally checked it out last night.

First I’ll say ‘Very Well Done’. Superb acting, the story was engaging and I was never bored or confused. The other side is Game Change is another perspective like Ides Of March on the slimy backstage machine of campaigning. It was sickening to see those politicians and their team ‘market’ a product to win, regardless of anything good for the country.

Many other reviews of Game Change are mostly positive and concentrate on the movie as a whole vs. what some people might interpret HBO’s political agenda? I think for most, it’s easy to pick a side. Either you thought well of Sarah Palin and watch the movie with sympathy or you hate her and confirm your suspicions. I clearly fall into the later. From the moment I heard and saw her, I knew it was a political move and it had nothing to do with me or the country.

Woody Harrelson does give an amazing performance. Ed Harris I found rather sheepish. I wonder if John McCain is really like that. I assume so. Julianne Moore seemed to have nailed Palin’s character. I was also surprised at how little McCain interacted with Palin. According to the movie it was minimal if at all. Not even talking to her when she started saying things and driving the campaign off the cliff.

I recommend checking this out. If you’re like me, you will appreciate a good movie, but I thought it left a horrible taste in my mouth… again watching politics at work.

PS: This is a rare political comment. I never fully understood the immediate embracing of Sarah Palin. I come from the Show-me state, so I take a wait and see attitude. I saw the sparkle, the pizzaz of her ‘acting’ which might attract some, but her ignorance was far more telling. So even today I don’t understand followers of Palin. As the movie states a couple of times, Palin is heartbeat away from being President. Really? That’s good? Yeaaaaa No