Review of The Seduction of Joe Tynan

Joe Tynan (Alan Alda) is a middle-aged senator campaigning for a seat in the senate. Karen Traynor (Meryl Streep in an early, slightly vampish performance) is an attractive blonde political researcher from Louisiana helping Tynan fight against a Southern senator who is in favor of segregation. During this time, Joe and Karen succumb to mounting pressures and have an explosive, sexually-charged (but transitory) affair. This, in addition to a turbulent home life with his neurotic wife Ellie (Barbara Harris, who is luminous) and troubled teenage daughter Janet (Blanche Baker), further complicates Joe's life in his quest of going up for office. An emotionally adult story, with elements of politics and humanity nicely woven together by writer-star Alda, but there are some questions left to be answered: What exactly is wrong with Janet, and why doesn't Joe take other measures (beyond asking questions) to try to relate to her? Why isn't this same attention paid to his equally distant son? The most noteworthy moments in the movie are the poignant scene when elderly Senator Birney (Melvyn Douglas, in one of his final roles) rambles on in French at the senate hearing, an allusion to oncoming senility, and the tense fight scene at home when Tynan is confronted by Ellie about his affair. An remarkably effective drama about the war between politics and the All-American Family. *** of ****