Watch Advise and Consent

Advise and Consent, released in 1962, is a political drama directed by Otto Preminger. The movie is set in Washington D.C. and follows the lives of several politicians as they navigate their personal and professional relationships while attempting to confirm the appointment of a controversial Secretary of State nominee. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Franchot Tone as the President of the United States, Lew Ayres as a pacifist senator, and Henry Fonda as the nominee for Secretary of State. The movie also features other notable actors such as Charles Laughton, Walter Pidgeon, and Burgess Meredith. At the center of the movie is the nomination of Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda), a liberal academic with controversial views on foreign policy. The confirmation process is complicated by the discovery of a past association between Leffingwell and a member of the Communist Party. As the Senate hearings progress, tensions rise and personal relationships are put to the test as senators and their staff grapple with the decision of whether or not to confirm Leffingwell's nomination. The movie explores themes of loyalty, morality, and political gamesmanship. It presents a nuanced portrayal of the political process, highlighting the many factors that can influence a senator's vote. Personal relationships and power dynamics are shown to play a significant role in the confirmation process, with senators often making decisions based on their loyalties to individuals rather than their beliefs about policy. One of the standout performances in the movie is given by Charles Laughton, who plays Senator Seabright Cooley. Cooley is a Southern Democrat who leads the charge against Leffingwell's nomination. Laughton delivers an impressive portrayal of Cooley as a principled politician who is unafraid to use underhanded tactics to achieve his goals. In addition to the political intrigue, the movie also features several notable subplots. One involves a homosexual relationship between two senators, which was considered scandalous at the time of the movie's release. Another subplot focuses on the strained relationship between the President and a senator who has become disillusioned with politics. Advise and Consent is a slow-paced movie that relies heavily on dialogue and character development. The film is notable for its use of actual Senate footage to create a realistic depiction of the confirmation process. Although the movie is fictional, the political atmosphere and issues it explores are still relevant today. Overall, Advise and Consent is a thoughtful and engaging drama that offers a glimpse into the inner workings of American politics. The movie's all-star cast delivers strong performances, and the script is well-written and thought-provoking. Political junkies and fans of classic cinema will find much to enjoy in this underrated gem from the early 1960s.