Watch Where's My Roy Cohn?
- PG-13
- 2019
- 1 hr 37 min
-
7.0 (1,241)
Where's My Roy Cohn? is a documentary film from 2019 that explores the life and career of Roy M. Cohn, a controversial and influential figure in U.S. politics and law. Directed by Matt Tyrnauer, the film features interviews with a variety of people who knew Cohn, including journalists, lawyers, politicians, and family members. Through these interviews and archival footage, the film constructs a picture of Cohn as a ruthless and manipulative operator who wielded immense power behind the scenes.
The film begins by providing some background on Cohn's upbringing and early career. Born in 1927 to a wealthy Jewish family in New York City, Cohn was a precocious child who excelled in school and showed an early interest in politics. After graduating from Columbia Law School in 1949, Cohn quickly rose to prominence as a young attorney with connections in high places. He became a key player in the prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, a controversial case that many still see as a miscarriage of justice.
From there, Cohn's career took off. He became a close personal friend and advisor to Senator Joseph McCarthy, and played a key role in the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. He also became a fixture in New York City's high society, socializing with celebrities and politicians alike. Eventually, Cohn became a mentor to a young businessman and real estate developer named Donald Trump, whose rise to power would be inextricably linked to Cohn's own.
Through interviews with Cohn's associates and archival footage, the film paints a picture of a man who was deeply manipulative and power-hungry. Cohn was known for his ruthless tactics in the courtroom, and his willingness to use any means necessary to get what he wanted. He was also openly homophobic, and used his power to try to thwart gay rights movements throughout his career.
Despite his many flaws, Cohn remained a powerful figure in American politics and law until his death from AIDS complications in 1986. In the years since his death, his reputation has only grown more complicated. Many see him as a symbol of everything that's wrong with American politics, an example of how ruthless ambition can lead to corruption and abuse of power. Others still see him as a hero of sorts, a tireless defender of conservative values who fought tirelessly for what he believed in.
Overall, Where's My Roy Cohn? is a thought-provoking and sometimes chilling portrait of one of the most controversial figures in recent American history. While the film doesn't shy away from Cohn's many flaws and misdeeds, it also highlights his immense influence and the ways in which his legacy still resonates today. For anyone interested in the intersection of law, politics, and power, this film is a must-see.
Where's My Roy Cohn? is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 70.