Image courtesy of Cinesnatch
It has been months since the 2012 reelection of President Obama, yet tensions still exist in this bipartisan political divide that has characterized our nation in recent times. Arguably much of this divide can be accredited to the 2008 presidential race between John McCain and Barack Obama, which gave rise to a culture of media spectacle that in many ways goes unrivalled by any other election in American history. Jay Roach’s 2012 film Game Change, based on a novel by journalists covering the 2008 Republican campaign, reflects on the media frenzy behind this campaign and makes the star of this film none other than the GOP’s Sweetheart herself: Sarah Palin.
Depicted at the height of her fame as the unexpected vice presidential candidate for the McCain campaign, Palin is portrayed ingeniously by Julianne Moore. She masters Palin’s quirks that we’ve all come to know and which have been represented shamelessly in the media by the likes of Tina Fey and other comedic personalities. What makes this film’s portrayal of Palin so dynamic is that although it highlights harsh truths of her character, it not exactly an attack and does not reach the territory of ridicule. Her quirks and media mishaps, while at times are painful to watch, are at other times almost endearing. There are arguably elements to this film that can be enjoyed by both the left and the right.
Even today with the likes of “binders full of women,” this film reminds us of how quotes and context have become a running theme in political discourse and still serve as fuel for the media. Woody Harrelson portrays Steve Schmidt, who at the time was campaign advisor to John McCain, who is played by Ed Harris (still with me?). Our sympathies become invested in Harrelson’s Schmidt as he is caught between catering to the demands of Palin and remaining true to his commitment to running a sound and respectable campaign. This, of course, mirrors a larger struggle that still exists in the GOP today: a party that in the midst of being labeled as stubborn, extreme and exclusive, still attempts to maintain their credibility in the political world while also never wavering in their fundamental beliefs.
Left or right, love her or hate her, Palin is nothing short of a media phenomenon that will be remembered in American politics. No matter where you identify on the political spectrum, one question that this film definitely forces us to ask after all is seen and the credits roll: what would American be like if she had won?