Movie

The Candidate

1972 · 110 min

A sharp, witty look at political campaigns that starts idealistic and ends in weary disillusionment, with a famous final line that lingers.

Tagline: Bill McKay has a lot going for him...but nothing compared to what's coming.
Overview: Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.
How it feels: Satirical, cynical, earnest and melancholic. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Politics, media, identity, ambition
Content: Mild sexual content and language. No violence or gore.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: satiricalstrength 3 of 3
cynicalstrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
melancholicstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: politics
media
identity
ambition
corruption
Places: big city
workplace
road trip
Era: contemporary
Audience: adult
Form: nonlinear
Content intensity: Gore none
Language mild
Violence none
Sex mild