Watch The Front Runner

The Front Runner is a 2018 political drama film directed by Jason Reitman and starring Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, and J.K. Simmons. The movie is a retelling of the historic 1988 presidential campaign of Senator Gary Hart, who was the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination but famously withdrew from the race after allegations of marital infidelity.

The movie is set in the late 1980s, as the nation was eager to move on from the Reagan era and looking for fresh leadership. Hart, played by Hugh Jackman, is seen as the ideal candidate - a smart, handsome, and charismatic senator from Colorado with progressive policies and a strong track record. His campaign is run by a group of devoted and ambitious young staffers, led by Billy Shore (J.K. Simmons) and Ann Devroy (Molly Ephraim).

At a press conference, Hart is asked if he has ever committed adultery, to which he responds by stating that he believes in a "zone of privacy" for candidates and their families. However, soon after, a tabloid newspaper publishes a story accusing Hart of cheating on his wife with a young woman named Donna Rice. As the media frenzy intensifies and Hart tries to defend himself, his campaign spirals out of control and eventually forces him to drop out of the race.

Vera Farmiga plays Lee Hart, Gary's wife, who is portrayed as a strong and loyal partner but also someone struggling to come to terms with her husband's alleged infidelity. She is seen trying to keep the family together amidst media scrutiny and personal turmoil. Meanwhile, Simmons' character, Billy Shore, is shown as a fiercely dedicated campaign manager who is initially convinced of Hart's innocence but becomes increasingly concerned by the rumor mill and the potential damage to the campaign.

The Front Runner grapples with a number of timely and important themes, including the role of the media in political campaigns, the personal lives of public figures, and the impact of scandals on public perception. The movie also looks at the interactions between reporters and politicians, as journalists struggle to balance their duty to inform the public with the responsibility to respect individuals' rights to privacy.

The film boasts an impressive cast, with Hugh Jackman delivering a nuanced and powerful performance as Gary Hart. He convincingly portrays Hart as a complex and flawed character, who is both inspiring and vulnerable. Vera Farmiga is equally compelling, bringing depth and empathy to her portrayal of Lee Hart. J.K. Simmons adds gravitas to the film with his strong and understated performance as the campaign manager, who serves as a voice of reason amidst the chaos.

Director Jason Reitman does an excellent job of recreating the mood and atmosphere of the late 1980s, with a soundtrack that includes classic songs from the era and a production design that captures the look and feel of the time. The film also uses real news footage and interviews to ground the story in reality and remind viewers of the impact of these events on American politics.

Overall, The Front Runner is a thought-provoking and engaging drama that explores complex issues in a timely and relevant way. The film offers an insightful look at one of the most significant moments in recent political history and serves as a warning of the dangers of personal scandals in the public arena. With an all-star cast and a skilled director at the helm, The Front Runner is a must-see movie for anyone interested in politics, journalism, or American history.

The Front Runner is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 61.