Watch Man in the Arena

Possible description: Man in the Arena is a documentary film that explores the life and legacy of Roger Ailes, the late founder and CEO of Fox News, who revolutionized and polarized American media and politics from the late 20th century until his downfall due to sexual harassment allegations in 2016. The film combines archival footage, interviews with Ailes's colleagues, competitors, critics, and family members, as well as reenactments of key events, to present a complex portrait of a man who shaped the public consciousness and power structure of the United States.

The film begins with a brief summary of Ailes's early years, from his Ohio childhood to his political strategizing for Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, which established his reputation as a media mastermind who could appeal to rural, conservative, and populist values. However, the main focus of the film is on Ailes's tenure as the creator and overseer of Fox News, which he built from scratch in 1996 to become the most-watched cable news network in the country, with a distinctive blend of news, commentary, and entertainment that catered to right-leaning viewers.

To illustrate Ailes's vision and influence, the film follows the careers of some of Fox News's key hosts and anchors, such as Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Gretchen Carlson, and Megyn Kelly, who offer their testimonies and perspectives on how Ailes shaped their shows and opinions. The film also examines the impact of Fox News on American politics, from the rise of the Tea Party and Sarah Palin to the election of Donald Trump, whose symbiotic relationship with Ailes and Fox News reflected a mutual desire to challenge the mainstream media and promote a nationalist, populist agenda.

However, the film does not shy away from the controversies and criticisms that surrounded Ailes and his network, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the revelations of sexual misconduct by Ailes and other Fox News executives. The film provides a nuanced and candid portrayal of how Ailes abused his power and intimidated his female employees, as well as how some of his loyalists defended him and dismissed his accusers. The film also examines the aftermath of Ailes's death in 2017 and the legacy of Fox News in the current political landscape.

Throughout the film, Ailes himself appears in archival footage or recordings, as well as in dramatizations of his conversations and meetings with his colleagues and politicians. Ailes is portrayed by the actor Si Crowell, who captures both the charisma and the flaws of Ailes with remarkable accuracy and empathy. The film also features interviews with other notable figures who knew or interacted with Ailes, such as Maria Bartiromo, George Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and Rush Limbaugh, who offer their own perspectives on the man in the arena.

Overall, Man in the Arena is a compelling and informative documentary that sheds light on the life and career of one of the most influential and controversial figures in American media and politics. The film provides a balanced and nuanced view of Ailes, neither glorifying nor demonizing him, but rather portraying him as a complex and flawed human being who left a lasting mark on his country and his industry. The film is both a tribute and a cautionary tale about the power and responsibility of the media in shaping public opinion and discourse.

Man in the Arena is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.