For those that don’t remember the 1988 US Presidential Election cycle, Gary Hart was a candidate that had everything going for him. He was likable. He was young. He was handsome. And overall, Hart was the type of guy that many Americans thought could lead the country into unmatched prosperity. But that all changed in an instant, as controversy rocked his campaign. That’s the basic premise behind Jason Reitman’s latest film “The Front Runner,” and the new trailer does a great job explaining just how Hart went from the top of the world to the lowest lows.
Even if the story wasn’t so famous and influential, “The Front Runner” would be worth the purchase of a movie ticket for what looks to be another great Hugh Jackman performance. The actor, who has a solid fan base thanks to his superhero work, has continued to take risks in his career, starring in polar-opposite films like “The Greatest Showman” and “Prisoners.” And with “The Front Runner,” Jackman looks to bring his A-game to one of the most interesting political scandals in US history.
Joining Jackman in the cast are J.K. Simmons, Vera Farmiga, Alfred Molina, Bill Burr, and Mamoudou Athie. As mentioned, the film is co-written and directed by Reitman.
“The Front Runner” hits theaters on November 6.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Oscar® nominee Hugh Jackman stars as the charismatic politician Gary Hart for Academy Award®-nominated director Jason Reitman in the new thrilling drama The Front Runner. The film follows the rise and fall of Senator Hart, who captured the imagination of young voters and was considered the overwhelming front runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice. As tabloid journalism and political journalism merged for the first time, Senator Hart was forced to drop out of the race – events that left a profound and lasting impact on American politics and the world stage. Also starring Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons and Alfred Molina, The Front Runner is written by Matt Bai & Jay Carson & Jason Reitman, based on the book All the Truth is Out by Matt Bai, and produced by Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook of Right of Way Films and Aaron L. Gilbert of BRON Studios.