On an aesthetic level alone, Jason Reitman does an excellent impersonation of Robert Altman in The Front Runner, allowing his camera to wind through crowded spaces (campaign offices, newsrooms, etc.) as dialogue overlaps. The film's photography and sound design capture the sense of being in the chaotic midst of an election-year whirlwind. I am less convinced by Reitman's perspective on Colorado Senator Gary Hart's 1988 downfall, and the film feels deeply unnecessary at its conclusion.

Though there are perfunctory gestures toward being a panoramic, even-handed overview of a political scandal, The Front Runner ultimately reveals itself to be a strangely retrograde (and rigged) defense of Hart. Understanding him as a victim of base/cruel/ravenous/[insert negative adjective here] press feels misguided to me; he was ultimately undone first by his libido coupled with poor judgment. There is a scene here where veteran newspaper men fondly recall the wide berth they gave the personal indiscretions of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and the movie seems to ultimately say, "Wow, what a shame Gary Hart, so handsome and idealistic and promising, did not enjoy the same." Reitman and his co-writers conflate "responsible journalism" (the sanctity of the process, damn you!) with not impeding Great Men's destines. It is a tone deaf message in 2018.

The performances are fine, though none of the characters feel entirely three-dimensional. Hugh Jackman dials his natural, outsize movie-star charisma down just enough to convincingly portray the photogenic senator. Sara Paxton is striking and poignant (and deserves more scenes) as Donna Rice, the young woman with whom Hart was discovered having an affair. Vera Farmiga is predictably sturdy as Hart's wife, though a tad underutilized; the film curiously ends with just one postscript, assuring us the Harts remain married to this day, as if their marriage was its chief concern.

I found this incredibly dull, and it's far from Jackman's best performance - he's perfectly fine but there are more than a few moments that felt hammy to me. The Sara Paxton segments were the best and had the most interesting things to say, IMO. And Vera Farmiga while strong is totally wasted here, a shame since Reitman directed her so well in Up In The Air. C

Decent film, well cast all around. But it's limited, it never goes beyond an informative scope, and besides that element it's not very interesting. It lacks a dramatic punch and ends up pretty well made with some good elements, but hasn't anything to elevate it to something greater. It's flawed, and while I still kind of enjoyed it, I was expecting more from it, disappointing from a usually stronger Reitman as well. Seeing Bill Burr in a small role was especially though.

B-