Favorite political movies/shows?

ahalpert said:
Yeah, Avenue 5 is Iannucci's latest show and it premiered on HBO in January. Wasn't my cup of tea
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I think he has a deal with HBO so most of his current stuff shows up there first. Political satire is very individualistic, what I find funny, others drop their jaws
in horror, especially Peter Capaldi's character in "The Thick of It". It's fun hearing Dr. Who spouting the most creatively profane invectives at the other characters and the whole cast is good.
Same with Veep, the writing was so acidly biting, I like that, it's so British/Scottish, even though it's about American politics. I'll have to check out Avenue 5 someday
when it's not on HBO and moves to Prime.
 
I should note - Avenue 5 is not about politics. It's about a cruise ship in outer space. It's wholly possible that I'd like his political stuff more. I was just wondering how the style compares
 
If you watch the three shows I listed, you'll see quite distinct stylistic parallels that run through all three, almost archetypes, especially in the supporting characters.
None of the characters are nice people, honorable, "normal", they are all raging, egocentric psychopaths, desperately clawing their way toward power and dominance,
much like real politicians and real politics. Like actors, politicians are mostly insecure narcissists, a more deadly combination of personal traits, I cannot think of. Except actors
mostly just want adoration and money while politicians want mostly power and dominance, followed by money.
 
Liam Hall said:
Three more British classics:

Yes, Minister.
G.B.H.
A Very British Coup
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+ 1 on Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.

Still classic writing, even today with great comedic timing by a great ensemble. Talents that have rarely been bettered in political comedy. During the Thatcher years it was considered to be virtually compulsory viewing by the White Hall cognoscenti.

Chris Young
 
puredrifting said:
I think he has a deal with HBO so most of his current stuff shows up there first. Political satire is very individualistic, what I find funny, others drop their jaws
in horror, especially Peter Capaldi's character in "The Thick of It". It's fun hearing Dr. Who spouting the most creatively profane invectives at the other characters and the whole cast is good.
Same with Veep, the writing was so acidly biting, I like that, it's so British/Scottish, even though it's about American politics. I'll have to check out Avenue 5 someday
when it's not on HBO and moves to Prime.
Click to expand...

I can't stand Avenue 5, but both Iannucci's writing and Peter Capaldi's performance in The Thick of It, along with the film version In the Loop are really great. It's stunningly bombastic, so definitely not for everyone, but I find it hilarious. Veep is great too, but pulls some punches compared to Thick of It/In the Loop.

BTW, Gandolfini is pretty great in In the Loop as well.
 
Given the current events both sides of the pond (other than COVID) the best political comedy's are the main news channels.
I think if many (most?) of the recent incidents both sides of the pond were put in to their respective "House of Cards" people would say they were far fetched and unrealistic.

Though the series Space Force was almost a documentary.
 
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