Public Affairs
Public Affairs

Movie spotlight

Public Affairs

1983
Movie
Adult · 18+
81 min
English

Hoping to win a seat in the senate by promoting conservative, anti 'smut' values, Nicholas Stern is in fact a ruthless hypocrite with an on-call pimp and a cold-hearted desire to win back his high school fling, Marybeth.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic68/100
Google Users80%
Director: Arthur PennGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A fictionalized account of American politics in the 1970s, focusing on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and personal lives of powerful figures. The film explores themes of ambition, corruption, and the compromises made in the pursuit of power.

Critical Reception

Public Affairs received a mixed to positive reception upon its release. Critics generally praised the performances of the ensemble cast and Arthur Penn's direction, though some found the narrative to be somewhat convoluted or overly ambitious in its scope. Audiences were intrigued by the political intrigue but divided on its overall impact.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film excels in its portrayal of political machinations and the complex relationships between power players.

  • Performances from the star-studded cast are a major highlight, bringing depth and intensity to their roles.

  • While ambitious, the intricate plot occasionally struggles to maintain clarity and narrative momentum.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's intelligent exploration of political themes and the strong acting. Some viewers found the story a bit dense, but generally, it was seen as a thought-provoking and well-made drama.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Won Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman at the Golden Globe Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's production was notoriously difficult, with numerous script rewrites and significant tension between the lead actors and director during filming.

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