The casting and acting were stellar, the dialogue was entertaining and thought-provoking, humor was sprinkled throughout, the pace was quick, character development was excellent, the scenery of Monhegan Island, Maine was gorgeous, capturing many aspects of the island's beauty (forest, coast, village,...),... The highlights for me were the points made about the pledge of allegiance, the importance of nurturing a marriage, and how good this congressman was at listening to his constituents. This movie captured much in a short amount of time.
The timing of "The Congressman" is perfect for this tumultuous time in American history. Written by a retired congressman, who made significant contributions including protecting the Alaskan forest, it captures the essence of what we think a good-hearted congressman would do if he/she was not influenced by forces not in the interest of democracy, the environment, or the people. I haven't seen Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in forty years, but I think that movie had a similar spirit, if I remember correctly.
The timing of "The Congressman" is perfect for this tumultuous time in American history. Written by a retired congressman, who made significant contributions including protecting the Alaskan forest, it captures the essence of what we think a good-hearted congressman would do if he/she was not influenced by forces not in the interest of democracy, the environment, or the people. I haven't seen Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in forty years, but I think that movie had a similar spirit, if I remember correctly.