PARK CITY -- A heroic crusader to some and the spoiler who betrayed the Democratic Party to others, Ralph Nader emerges as a dedicated, controversial and flawed figure in the documentary, "An Unreasonable Man".
Filmmakers Henriette Mantel, who once worked for Nader, and Steve Skrovan, smoothly integrate reams of material, dozens of insightful interviews as well as archival news footage and, without the use of a narrator, present a coherent, balanced picture of a lightning rod in the political arena.
Doc sustains interest for most of its 160 minute running time, but its length could be an obstacle to getting a theatrical release. PBS or cable TV outlets are possible venues.
The film starts in 1966 when Nader is launched to prominence after he riles General Motors with his attacks on car safety. He accused the automobile industry of selling "psychosexual dreamboats."
Mantel and Skrovan showcase Nader's tireless, forceful advocacy for the rights of the little guy and his own causes, which ranged from transportation safety to drug labeling and clean air. He fought the big boys and usually won. The list of organizations he founded or sponsored and the legislation he was instrumental in passing are impressive.
There are nagging questions about Nader's personal life -- by all accounts he doesn't have one -- and they aren't addressed till later in the film. Even then, little time is spent on the subject. Colleagues say he's married to his work, driven by a sense of injustice and a "never give up, never give in" ethos, a form of absolutism that has made him difficult to work for and harder to leave. Former employees say he was hostile to anyone who stopped working for him.
The film primarily focuses on how and why Nader's bid for the presidency in 2000 antagonized even his most ardent admirers. Many interviewed here are still angry.
What makes this doc so successful is the willingness to present a wide variety of opinions of Nader, a man who inspires intense emotions on both sides of the aisle. Todd Gitlin, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School, makes an impassioned case against Nader's misstep in 2000 and again in 2004. Of the former Nader's Raiders, some kept the faith; some are disillusioned, even bitter. There's a bit of levity, too. James Fallows recalls Nader's attack on hot dogs, which were labeled "missiles of death.' Clips from a "Saturday Night Live" show that Nader hosted are, for lack of a better word, surprising.
Editors Alexis Provost and Beth Gallagher cut back and forth between the talking heads so deftly that you have the illusion that Nader is answering his critics in real time in a very lively debate.
An Unreasonable Man
A Two Left Legs Productions
Credits:
Writers/directors/executive producers: Henriette Mantel, Steve Skrovan
Producer: Kevin O'Donnell
Directors of photography: Mark Raker, Leigh Wilson, John Chater, Matt Davis, Steve Elkins, Melissa Donavan, Sandra Chandler
Music: Joe Kraemer
Editor: Alexis Provost, Beth Gallagher
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 160 minutes...
Filmmakers Henriette Mantel, who once worked for Nader, and Steve Skrovan, smoothly integrate reams of material, dozens of insightful interviews as well as archival news footage and, without the use of a narrator, present a coherent, balanced picture of a lightning rod in the political arena.
Doc sustains interest for most of its 160 minute running time, but its length could be an obstacle to getting a theatrical release. PBS or cable TV outlets are possible venues.
The film starts in 1966 when Nader is launched to prominence after he riles General Motors with his attacks on car safety. He accused the automobile industry of selling "psychosexual dreamboats."
Mantel and Skrovan showcase Nader's tireless, forceful advocacy for the rights of the little guy and his own causes, which ranged from transportation safety to drug labeling and clean air. He fought the big boys and usually won. The list of organizations he founded or sponsored and the legislation he was instrumental in passing are impressive.
There are nagging questions about Nader's personal life -- by all accounts he doesn't have one -- and they aren't addressed till later in the film. Even then, little time is spent on the subject. Colleagues say he's married to his work, driven by a sense of injustice and a "never give up, never give in" ethos, a form of absolutism that has made him difficult to work for and harder to leave. Former employees say he was hostile to anyone who stopped working for him.
The film primarily focuses on how and why Nader's bid for the presidency in 2000 antagonized even his most ardent admirers. Many interviewed here are still angry.
What makes this doc so successful is the willingness to present a wide variety of opinions of Nader, a man who inspires intense emotions on both sides of the aisle. Todd Gitlin, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School, makes an impassioned case against Nader's misstep in 2000 and again in 2004. Of the former Nader's Raiders, some kept the faith; some are disillusioned, even bitter. There's a bit of levity, too. James Fallows recalls Nader's attack on hot dogs, which were labeled "missiles of death.' Clips from a "Saturday Night Live" show that Nader hosted are, for lack of a better word, surprising.
Editors Alexis Provost and Beth Gallagher cut back and forth between the talking heads so deftly that you have the illusion that Nader is answering his critics in real time in a very lively debate.
An Unreasonable Man
A Two Left Legs Productions
Credits:
Writers/directors/executive producers: Henriette Mantel, Steve Skrovan
Producer: Kevin O'Donnell
Directors of photography: Mark Raker, Leigh Wilson, John Chater, Matt Davis, Steve Elkins, Melissa Donavan, Sandra Chandler
Music: Joe Kraemer
Editor: Alexis Provost, Beth Gallagher
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 160 minutes...
- 1/25/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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