I’m trying to create a comprehensive list of movies from the last several decades (1950s forwards, I suppose) where major characters in the movie held a political office. You know, like there were characters who were president in Wag the Dog, Independence Day, The American President or Senator Bullworth from, ummm, Bullworth – all fictional politicians of national office. It’s for a class paper I’m writing about how the depiction of politicians in films reflects American attitudes towards politics in general.
I’m having a hard time searching through books I have or the Web for such a strange set of features. I figured the Teeming Millions might be able to point out some references that I myself hadn’t thought of.
I’d prefer fictional characters, but when a real life character is acting in a clearly fictional way (such as FDR in Annie), that’s useful, too.
It seems in recent years that we’ve repeatedly cast presidential characters in the role of action hero (Air Force One, Independence Day), or woefully put upon good men who are just misunderstood (American President, My Fellow Americans). We’ve also got plenty of films where political leaders are members of or victims of conspiracies (Clear and Present Danger, Bullworth). I’m trying to form categories here.
Can anyone think of films in the last few decades where major characters held political office? I’ll try to integrate any suggestions into my final paper.
Thanks, Teeming Millions!