66
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- Redford, who dominates the picture, has never been more assured or appealing.
- 90The New York TimesVincent CanbyThe New York TimesVincent CanbyOne of the few good, truly funny American political comedies ever made.
- 80Time OutTime OutA fairly obvious story, perhaps, but one that is helped enormously both by Ritchie's reluctance to move away from simulated realism into melodramatic plotting, and by his customary generosity, clear-eyed and unsentimental, towards his characters.
- 80EmpireKim NewmanEmpireKim NewmanWith Redford giving one of his best comedic performances, helped by a Oscar winning script, The Candidate is witty and charming, while looking good and proving quite memorable, like Redford's lawyer.
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineHandlers, spin-doctors, and the good man they lead astray. Jeremy Larner's Academy Award-winning screenplay provides a voyage into the sea of politics; the result is a fascinating film that sometimes feels like a documentary. Despite minor glitches, this is a prophetic glimpse of politics in the age of TV.
- 40Chicago ReaderDave KehrChicago ReaderDave KehrRedford's inability to suggest any irony about himself finally sinks it—it's the only sanctimonious satire you'll ever see.
- 40Neither the authentic political atmosphere nor canny performances by Redford, Boyle and Porter go far to cut through the basic glibness of the film. Ritchie incorporates numerous television political commercials and makes a point of their smooth dishonesty and wily distortion. None, however have less substance than The Candidate.
- 30Village VoiceAndrew SarrisVillage VoiceAndrew SarrisBut why would so many critics fall for a piece of cheese like “The Candidate?” Robert Redford cultism? Partly, I suppose.