Movies to Watch Leading Up to the Election Results
Election results aren’t reported until all the polls are closed. For those of us on Eastern time, that’s pretty late. If you’d like to watch a movie with your spouse while you wait, here are a few we’re considering. Not all of these movies are child-appropriate, so please preview them before watching them with your children. I had adults in mind when I made the list, but I’m putting them in order of family friendliness (as best as I can), starting with the clean-cut movies to suspense thrillers and to the gritty and cynical.
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968) G
A Disney TV movie, the Bower Family Band petitions the Democratic National Committee to sing a Grover Cleveland rally song at the 1888 convention. Instead, they move to the Dakota territory. There, Grampa Bower causes all kinds of trouble with his pro-Cleveland ideas, as Dakota residents are overwhelmingly Republican.
Mayor Cupcake (2011) PG
Just a plain fun, super cheesy, feel-good flick based on a true story. A mom who is known for her incredible cupcake-baking skills somehow gets thrown into the mayoral race of her small town. I won’t tell you how it turns out, other than to say she steps up the challenge and takes on corruption in her own, simple way.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Not Rated
Is there anyone who doesn’t love this movie? Jimmy Stewart’s character is quite naive when he arrives in Washington, DC. Appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate, he has excellent ideals and plans. But those plans promptly collide with political corruption. The power brokers do everything they can to take him down, but Mr. Smith and his allies stand firm and win the day.
Lincoln (2012) PG-13
Nearing the end of the Civil War and our nation living with the devastation of the high death count of war, President Lincoln (wonderfully acted by Daniel Day-Lewis) uses passion, humanity and political skill to finally bring the war to an end and to abolish slavery once and for all. There are many films on Lincoln’s life, this one is the best I’ve seen.
Man for All Seasons (1966) G
One of my favorite movies. I was struck many years ago when our governor put a painting of St. Thomas More on the wall of her office. She explained that Thomas More is the patron of lawyers and so she always had a fondness for him. Yet, she, a Catholic, was pro-life until she ran for governor. As a Democrat it became clear that she would not get the nomination if she did not change her position on abortion. Did she not see the irony in placing this great saint’s portrait on her wall?
A Face in the Crowd (1957) Not Rated
This little known movie is, imo, a must see for this election. It features Andy Griffith as an megalomaniac who manipulates the American public through media. (He so immersed himself into the role that it hurt his personal life during filming and he made a promise to his family to never take such a role again.)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) PG-13
I think this conspiracy thriller belongs on the list because it goes beyond the fun Marvel movies and makes a strong statement about real-world concerns. Steve Rogers is an unabashed, straight-up hero, who is not afraid to live his ideals. In an era of cynicism and shallowness, Captain America is breath of fresh air. He challenges everyone around him to be their best and to live up to their oaths of office.
If you love the Cap, follow up with Captain America: Civil War.
May God bless our country. May He bless all of our elected officials and fill their hearts with the desire to do His work.
