Is this film worth the rent?

Wow...can't believe this doesn't have more comments. It's a logical followup to Lumet's Network, although Power manages to be slightly less cynical than Paddy's script for Network.

The whole cast is excellent, and even Mrs. Spielberg does her best work.

The part of this that I enjoy the most, is that Power manages to indict the system without any silly partisan cliches. I don't know whether a director could make this now without injecting bumper-sticker-style political cheapshots.

Either way...I don't think you'll be disappointed. The ending is a bit weak, if only for its simplicity, but I think you get a good idea about how candidates of all parties are packaged "like TV Dinners" as Gere's character says.

Good stuff.

I liked the film. I'm not a big Gere fan, but since I am a political junkie, I liked the theme of the film. The theme of the political consultant is very timely for today, and this film being some 21 years old holds so true for the sound bite politics most Americans consume.

I thought all the actors did a fine job in this movie, especially Gene Hackman. However, since I am a huge admirer or Mr. Hackman, I guess I am a little biased.