Watch Game Change

In 2012, the HBO film Game Change premiered, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 United States presidential election campaign of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin. Directed by Jay Roach and written by Danny Strong, the film is based on the bestselling book of the same name by journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann.

Game Change stars Ed Harris as John McCain, Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin, and Woody Harrelson as Steve Schmidt, the Republican strategist who led McCain's campaign. The film follows the campaign from its early days through the Republican National Convention and the general election campaign against then-Senator Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

At the beginning of the film, John McCain is struggling to gain traction in the polls against the charismatic and popular Obama. In an effort to shake things up and attract more female voters, Schmidt convinces McCain to choose Sarah Palin, the relatively unknown governor of Alaska, as his running mate. Although Palin is initially seen as a breath of fresh air and a potential game-changer for the campaign, her lack of experience and knowledge of national and international issues quickly becomes apparent.

Moore's performance as Palin is widely regarded as one of the best of her career, capturing the former governor's folksy charm as well as her shortcomings as a candidate. Harris also shines as McCain, bringing depth and nuance to a politician who was often portrayed as a straight-talking, heroic figure during the 2008 campaign.

Throughout the film, we see Palin struggle to adapt to the demands of the campaign and the scrutiny of the press. She is portrayed as someone who is both fiercely determined and insecure, desperate to prove herself to her colleagues and the American people. Despite her flaws, Palin is also shown as someone who is able to connect with voters in a way that few politicians can, especially in rural and conservative parts of the country.

Harrelson's portrayal of Steve Schmidt is also noteworthy, as he brings a cynical and world-weary perspective to the campaign. Schmidt is shown as someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to win, including pushing Palin to use talking points that he knows are false or misleading. At the same time, however, Schmidt is also depicted as someone who genuinely cares about the future of his party and the country, recognizing that the McCain-Palin campaign has a slim chance of victory.

One of the strengths of Game Change is its ability to capture the frenetic pace and high stakes of a modern political campaign. From intense strategy sessions to tense rehearsals for a debate, the film immerses viewers in the behind-the-scenes world of a presidential race. At the same time, however, the film is also able to step back and offer a critical perspective on the role of media in shaping public perception of candidates and issues.

Overall, Game Change is a thought-provoking and engrossing film that offers a compelling look at one of the most dramatic presidential campaigns in recent history. Whether you are a political junkie or simply interested in the human drama of a high-stakes contest, this film is well worth your time.

Game Change is a 2012 tv movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.