Recount

HBO consistently gives new meaning to original film programming. "Angels in America", "Wit", "Elizabeth", and the list goes on. On top of it, Jay Roach from the "Austin Powers" and "Meet the Parents" films attacks this based-on-true-story telefilm with gusto and panache. A wonderful cast and screenplay makes this work perfectly. It has the suspense, drama, and humor that rarely happens in most political films. Kevin Spacey plays the central character, Ron Klain, who gets the most air time. He constantly battles with the James Baker character played wonderfully by Tom Wilkinson. Both Denis Leary and Laura Dern adds humor as Michael Whouley and Katherine Harris respectively.

People may think after watching that it paints the Bush recount team in an unfavorable light. The Gore team looks almost desperate to grab more time and votes. However you may feel in this whole chaotic scene of events, it shows how our system was certainly challenged. First, it was at the county level, state level, and finally federal level. Fingers are pointed at each other. Battles lost and won. Who really won is still up to debate. This film gives not only entertainment value but serious reflection on our voting process. Interpretation is a dangerous area which can lead to serious consequences.

This DVD has a boat load of extras which probably didn't make it on HBO. The conversations between the actor and the real life characters are fun to watch. There is also commentary from Jay Roach as well. Let's hope that HBO continues to push the envelope with these smart films.

I had to buy this movie for two reasons........we live in Florida and our youngest son was an extra in the Jacksonville scenes.As a bonus...it's a pretty good movie.

This is pretty much the Democrat point of view. I really was expecting a part 2 that would explain the Bush position.

The complicated events following the 2000 election are dramatized with flair and accuracy (to the best of my knowledge) in this very worthwhile, if depressing film. The pace of the film is intense and the acting is consistently good; I especially enjoyed Laura Dern's portrayal of Katherine Harris. It is important for people not to forget this truly nauseating rift in the fabric of American democracy, to appreciate the potential weaknesses of our election procedures, and to continue to fight for the principle that every vote should be counted.

We all know the outcome of the 2000 Presidential race so why would you want to watch this HBO made for TV movie? Like watching a movie about a sporting event or athlete where you know the end, it's about the game itself. This film is about the Florida recount in 2000 as seen mainly through the person of Ron Klain, Al Gore's former Chief of Staff who was dispatched to Florida to head up the Democratic team pursuing the recount. The acting is terrific and so is the writing. Since the event is so recent and all the players are still living, getting the story straight was important and it seems that they did. Even knowing the ending, this movie draws you in so that you almost forget what happened as you follow the events and drama within the inner circle of each party as they fight for Florida's 25 electoral votes and the Presidency. It's really a story about democracy and how it does and doesn't work, about our legal system and how it does and doesn't work and whether a Republic like ours can survive a crisis like that. Whether you think the system works, depends, of course, on what side you were on but our country did survive and I think some credit must be given to the parties involved, particularly Al Gore as the underdog, who could have gotten their supporters all riled up and created a very ugly situation. There were hardly any demonstrations by Democrats. Gore also called off the pursuit in the end when he could have continued to the further detriment of the country. It seems that there was a tangible case of 'Country First'. It is also a reminder that we still don't have this voting thing figured out in our country. We can put the proverbial man or woman on the moon but can't develop a consistent, reliable national voting system for national elections. Maybe there's a case for letting each state and precinct determine its own way, but in an election that affects every one of us, I'd like to think we were all playing by the same rules. This is another outstanding docudrama by HBO. Enjoy during this election year. Who knows, maybe it will be deja vu all over again. www.lusreviews.blogspot.com.