Watch Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story is a documentary film that chronicles the life and career of Lee Atwater, a prominent Republican strategist and advisor to George H. W. Bush. Produced in 2008, the film features interviews with Atwater's family members, colleagues, and political opponents, providing a comprehensive portrayal of the man known as the "boogie man" of American politics.

The film delves into Atwater's early life, growing up in South Carolina during the civil rights movement. At a young age, Atwater became involved in conservative politics, working on various campaigns before earning a reputation as a hard-nosed strategist who was unafraid to use controversial tactics to win elections. The film explores Atwater's rise to prominence within the Republican Party, including his role in helping George H. W. Bush win the presidency in 1988.

At the heart of the film is Atwater's reputation for negative campaigning, which he popularized through his use of attack ads and personal smears. The film examines some of Atwater's most controversial tactics, including the infamous Willie Horton ad that Atwater created during the 1988 presidential campaign. The ad featured a menacing image of an African American man and attacked Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis for his supposedly soft stance on crime.

Despite his reputation for ruthless campaigning, Atwater was also known for his charm and charisma, and the film features interviews with several individuals who knew him personally, including his wife, Sally Atwater. The film also explores Atwater's struggle with cancer, which ultimately took his life in 1991 at the age of 40.

Boogie Man offers a nuanced and complex portrait of Atwater, both celebrating his political acumen and questioning his ethics. The film contextualizes Atwater's career within the broader political landscape of the late 20th century, exploring the role that he and other conservatives played in shaping the modern Republican Party. Through interviews with Atwater's colleagues and political opponents, the film offers a variety of perspectives on his legacy, providing a comprehensive examination of this complicated figure in American politics.

Overall, Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story is a thought-provoking and insightful documentary that sheds light on the life and career of one of America's most influential political operatives. Whether you're a political junkie or simply interested in understanding the role that negative campaigning has played in American elections, this film offers a compelling look at a fascinating and complicated figure.

Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 66.