I've never been too impressed with Tom Selleck. Maybe it's been the roles he's played. As Magnum PI, Tom was not quite a superhero. He was just okay as an Australian in Quigley Down Under, as a ballplayer in Mr Baseball, as a writer in Her Alibi, and as a cowboy in a few westerns.
But Mr. Selleck excels in Running Mates. As the democratic front-runner for president, Selleck is perfect...he's believable, strong, principled, and charismatic. Laura Linney is even better as his campaign manager. Now add to the mix the likes of Teri Hatcher and Faye Dunaway, and you've got yourself a top-notch cast doing top-notch work.
No spoiler, but the main themes are: Will the presidential candidate sell out to big money and big business? Will Pryce (the candidate) stay true to his wife, after affairs with more than a few women still present in his life? Will the future be politics as usual or a new way of governing Washington?
This reviewer is not a great fan of "political" movies. But this film is a winner. It takes us into the world of a political climber and shows how he, and his support staff, shape image, policy, and publicity.
A- for an outstanding portrait of a politician. A bit too light in tone at times, and one scene with four women gossiping about bedding the candidate that needs deleting...otherwise, an excellent film.
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