NEW YORK -- The potent subject matter of this documentary adapted from the best-selling book by Joe Conason and Gene Lyons is unfortunately undercut by its tabloid-style execution. Detailing the ambitious campaign by both reputable and dubious elements of the right wing to oppose Bill Clinton, "The Hunting of the President" sacrifices credibility not only by the fact that it was co-directed and co-written by the obviously partisan Harry Thomason (along with Nickolas Perry), but also because of its cheesy cinematic style. The film should benefit from the current insatiable appetite for political material, but it will likely be overshadowed by the impending release of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11."
Beginning with footage of Clinton's impeachment hearings, the film then flashes backward and outlines in considerable detail -- using extensive archival footage and interviews with many of the figures involved -- the many ways in which right-wing elements sought to undercut Clinton's candidacy and his presidency. It is quite a cautionary tale for left wingers, even if it never quite manages to provide a sense of exactly why Clinton and wife Hillary so provoked the outsized animus of their political opponents.
Many of the plot elements play like the sort of comic thrillers involving bumbling protagonists written by Elmore Leonard. Some of the more odious figures are Everett Ham, the leader of an organization (the Alliance for the Rebirth of an Independent America) dedicated to discrediting Clinton; Cliff Jackson, a lawyer who was involved in the Arkansas State Troopers revelations and the release of Clinton's military draft record; and private investigator Larry Case, who sought to exploit the release of the Gennifer Flowers story for financial gain. Also providing testimony are David Brock, a formerly conservative journalist who has since recanted many of his assertions, and Susan McDougal, who movingly describes her experiences while being incarcerated for her refusal to testify in the Whitewater investigation.
While the film provides much fascinating detail, especially in its delineation of the way that even less-than-credible figures can manipulate the media, the sheer volume of information presented may prove confusing for those not already familiar with the facts. Worse, it uses numerous hoary techniques -- including tabloid-television-style editing and ominous background music -- that tend to detract from the seriousness of the issues being addressed.
Morgan Freeman delivers the portentous narration.
The hunting of the president
Regent Releasing
Diceburg Llc.
Credits:
Directors-screenwriters: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry
Producer: Douglas Jackson
Executive producer: Mark S. Weiner
Co-producers: Joe Conason, Amy Greenspun, Keith Sky
Editor: Nickolas Perry
Director of photography: Jim Roberson
Music: Bruce Miller
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 89 minutes...
Beginning with footage of Clinton's impeachment hearings, the film then flashes backward and outlines in considerable detail -- using extensive archival footage and interviews with many of the figures involved -- the many ways in which right-wing elements sought to undercut Clinton's candidacy and his presidency. It is quite a cautionary tale for left wingers, even if it never quite manages to provide a sense of exactly why Clinton and wife Hillary so provoked the outsized animus of their political opponents.
Many of the plot elements play like the sort of comic thrillers involving bumbling protagonists written by Elmore Leonard. Some of the more odious figures are Everett Ham, the leader of an organization (the Alliance for the Rebirth of an Independent America) dedicated to discrediting Clinton; Cliff Jackson, a lawyer who was involved in the Arkansas State Troopers revelations and the release of Clinton's military draft record; and private investigator Larry Case, who sought to exploit the release of the Gennifer Flowers story for financial gain. Also providing testimony are David Brock, a formerly conservative journalist who has since recanted many of his assertions, and Susan McDougal, who movingly describes her experiences while being incarcerated for her refusal to testify in the Whitewater investigation.
While the film provides much fascinating detail, especially in its delineation of the way that even less-than-credible figures can manipulate the media, the sheer volume of information presented may prove confusing for those not already familiar with the facts. Worse, it uses numerous hoary techniques -- including tabloid-television-style editing and ominous background music -- that tend to detract from the seriousness of the issues being addressed.
Morgan Freeman delivers the portentous narration.
The hunting of the president
Regent Releasing
Diceburg Llc.
Credits:
Directors-screenwriters: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry
Producer: Douglas Jackson
Executive producer: Mark S. Weiner
Co-producers: Joe Conason, Amy Greenspun, Keith Sky
Editor: Nickolas Perry
Director of photography: Jim Roberson
Music: Bruce Miller
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 89 minutes...
NEW YORK -- The potent subject matter of this documentary adapted from the best-selling book by Joe Conason and Gene Lyons is unfortunately undercut by its tabloid-style execution. Detailing the ambitious campaign by both reputable and dubious elements of the right wing to oppose Bill Clinton, "The Hunting of the President" sacrifices credibility not only by the fact that it was co-directed and co-written by the obviously partisan Harry Thomason (along with Nickolas Perry), but also because of its cheesy cinematic style. The film should benefit from the current insatiable appetite for political material, but it will likely be overshadowed by the impending release of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11."
Beginning with footage of Clinton's impeachment hearings, the film then flashes backward and outlines in considerable detail -- using extensive archival footage and interviews with many of the figures involved -- the many ways in which right-wing elements sought to undercut Clinton's candidacy and his presidency. It is quite a cautionary tale for left wingers, even if it never quite manages to provide a sense of exactly why Clinton and wife Hillary so provoked the outsized animus of their political opponents.
Many of the plot elements play like the sort of comic thrillers involving bumbling protagonists written by Elmore Leonard. Some of the more odious figures are Everett Ham, the leader of an organization (the Alliance for the Rebirth of an Independent America) dedicated to discrediting Clinton; Cliff Jackson, a lawyer who was involved in the Arkansas State Troopers revelations and the release of Clinton's military draft record; and private investigator Larry Case, who sought to exploit the release of the Gennifer Flowers story for financial gain. Also providing testimony are David Brock, a formerly conservative journalist who has since recanted many of his assertions, and Susan McDougal, who movingly describes her experiences while being incarcerated for her refusal to testify in the Whitewater investigation.
While the film provides much fascinating detail, especially in its delineation of the way that even less-than-credible figures can manipulate the media, the sheer volume of information presented may prove confusing for those not already familiar with the facts. Worse, it uses numerous hoary techniques -- including tabloid-television-style editing and ominous background music -- that tend to detract from the seriousness of the issues being addressed.
Morgan Freeman delivers the portentous narration.
The hunting of the president
Regent Releasing
Diceburg Llc.
Credits:
Directors-screenwriters: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry
Producer: Douglas Jackson
Executive producer: Mark S. Weiner
Co-producers: Joe Conason, Amy Greenspun, Keith Sky
Editor: Nickolas Perry
Director of photography: Jim Roberson
Music: Bruce Miller
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 89 minutes...
Beginning with footage of Clinton's impeachment hearings, the film then flashes backward and outlines in considerable detail -- using extensive archival footage and interviews with many of the figures involved -- the many ways in which right-wing elements sought to undercut Clinton's candidacy and his presidency. It is quite a cautionary tale for left wingers, even if it never quite manages to provide a sense of exactly why Clinton and wife Hillary so provoked the outsized animus of their political opponents.
Many of the plot elements play like the sort of comic thrillers involving bumbling protagonists written by Elmore Leonard. Some of the more odious figures are Everett Ham, the leader of an organization (the Alliance for the Rebirth of an Independent America) dedicated to discrediting Clinton; Cliff Jackson, a lawyer who was involved in the Arkansas State Troopers revelations and the release of Clinton's military draft record; and private investigator Larry Case, who sought to exploit the release of the Gennifer Flowers story for financial gain. Also providing testimony are David Brock, a formerly conservative journalist who has since recanted many of his assertions, and Susan McDougal, who movingly describes her experiences while being incarcerated for her refusal to testify in the Whitewater investigation.
While the film provides much fascinating detail, especially in its delineation of the way that even less-than-credible figures can manipulate the media, the sheer volume of information presented may prove confusing for those not already familiar with the facts. Worse, it uses numerous hoary techniques -- including tabloid-television-style editing and ominous background music -- that tend to detract from the seriousness of the issues being addressed.
Morgan Freeman delivers the portentous narration.
The hunting of the president
Regent Releasing
Diceburg Llc.
Credits:
Directors-screenwriters: Harry Thomason, Nickolas Perry
Producer: Douglas Jackson
Executive producer: Mark S. Weiner
Co-producers: Joe Conason, Amy Greenspun, Keith Sky
Editor: Nickolas Perry
Director of photography: Jim Roberson
Music: Bruce Miller
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 89 minutes...
- 6/18/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Distributor Regent Entertainment is postponing the release date of its upcoming political documentary The Hunting of the President by a week in the wake of Ronald Reagan's death. Regent's Paul Colichman confirmed Monday that Hunting -- based on the best-selling book of the same name by Gene Lyons and Joe Conason -- will now roll out June 18, instead of June 11. The film was slated to have its premiere Wednesday at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, but Regent will now roll out the red carpet June 16. "It was the right thing to do," said Colichman. "The theme of our movie is respect for the American president. (It would be wrong) during a week of mourning to be throwing a party." Co-directed by Harry Thomason and Nickolas Perry, Hunting follows, according to the filmmakers, "the partisan vendettas and political myths and truths behind the nearly 10-year campaign to systematically destroy the political legacy of the Clintons."...
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.