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Weiner is a documentary film that chronicles the political downfall of former U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner. Directed by Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg, the film follows Weiner's unsuccessful 2013 campaign for Mayor of New York City. The movie begins with Weiner's scandalous 2011 tweet that featured a lewd photo. Weiner initially denies any wrongdoing, claiming that his account was hacked. However, the film reveals that Weiner was indeed responsible for the tweet, which led to his resignation from Congress.

Weiner attempts to revive his political career by running for Mayor of New York City, but his campaign soon becomes mired in controversy when he is once again accused of sexual impropriety. This time, however, Weiner decides to stay in the race, despite calls for him to drop out. The film offers an intimate look at Weiner's campaign, as well as his personal life, which is complicated by his wife's (Huma Abedin) high-profile position as a top aide to Hillary Clinton.

Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers follow Weiner and his team as they navigate the campaign trail, dealing with a relentless media cycle that scrutinizes Weiner's every move. The film also delves into the impact of the scandal on Abedin, who is shown struggling to cope with the fallout from her husband's actions.

Weiner is not just a political documentary, however. It is also a portrait of a flawed human being who is struggling to come to terms with his past mistakes. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of Weiner, showing him at his most vulnerable, as well as his most combative. Despite his obvious flaws, the film conveys a sense of sympathy for Weiner, who is shown as a man who genuinely cares about the issues he is campaigning for, even as his personal life threatens to destroy his political career.

One of the strengths of Weiner is its ability to capture the chaos and drama of a political campaign. The film is filled with tense moments, as Weiner and his team deal with setbacks and scandals. The filmmakers do an excellent job of conveying the hectic pace of a political campaign, showing how a single misstep can derail an entire candidacy.

However, Weiner is not just a story about a political campaign gone wrong. At its core, it is a story about the consequences of hubris and the corrupting influence of power. Weiner, despite his flaws, is a smart and talented politician, but his arrogance and disregard for ethical boundaries ultimately lead to his downfall.

In addition to Weiner, the film also focuses on his wife, Huma Abedin, who is portrayed as a strong-willed and intelligent woman. The film shows the toll that Weiner's scandal takes on their marriage, as well as on Abedin's relationship with Clinton. Despite the controversy surrounding her husband, Abedin remains steadfast in her support for him, even as she faces increasing scrutiny from the media.

Overall, Weiner is a fascinating and engaging documentary that offers a window into the inner workings of a political campaign, as well as the personal struggles of one of its key players. The film is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking, as well as to the complexities of the human experience. Whether or not one agrees with Weiner's politics or actions, it is impossible not to be moved by his story.

Weiner is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 84.