The Congressman
Common Sense says
- R
- 2016
- 98 minutes
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Congressman is a political drama with positive messages about our rights as Americans to express ourselves, or not, in any way we choose, and to not let ourselves be bullied into believing we have to follow what others say about how we express our loyalty and love of country. Negative messages include some brief sexual objectification of women that's glossed over, and also about over-fishing the oceans and its effect on small fishing communities. Lots of strong language including "f--k," "s--t," and variations, as well as one use of "p---y." Sexual content includes one scene played for comedy that prominently shows a model of a penis. Rare violence shows police beating protesters in old newsreel footage and a bloody face after some elbowing in a basketball game. Some drinking throughout.
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What's the story?
Charlie Winship (Treat Williams) has been THE CONGRESSMAN from Maine for a long time, but recently he's begun to feel jaded. He doesn't seem to be making a difference anymore; nowadays it's just about crunching numbers instead of helping people. He comes under serious fire when a political rival reveals that he doesn't stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance along with the rest of the Congress each morning. But as that controversy heats up into expulsion hearings about his conduct, Winship is called to a remote island off the Maine coast to investigate how a small fishing community is facing threats and intimidation from large fishing corporations. As both issues come to a boil, Winship will have to weather betrayal while being called a traitor and worse in the national media. It might be time for him to retire, but if he does, who will continue to fight the good fight?
Is it any good?
Despite a strong performance from Hollywood veteran Treat Williams, this political drama tries to take on too much and falters as it fails to knit the various plot threads together cohesively. Instead of an in-depth exploration of freedom of expression and the freedom not to have to express anything, or an in-depth look at the fishing industry and its impact on the oceans and on small fishing communities, we get a shallow, half-look at each. Williams is ably supported by a solid cast drawn mostly from TV, but the only one who really shines (and very briefly) is George Hamilton as the smarmy congressman-turned-lobbyist.
Teens who can handle the strong language will no doubt learn a lot about the history of the Pledge, and about the damage over-fishing is doing to our oceans, but the slow pace and focus on older characters may prevent them from making it all the way to the (predictable) end.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about all the profanity in The Congressman. Is it realistic, or necessary? What would the movie be like without it?
Do you think Congressman Winship should have stood and recited the Pledge? Why or why not? Why do you think he led the Pledge when visiting the school?
Is the history that the movie tells about the Pledge of Allegiance accurate? Look it up online or in your library. Does knowing the history change your thinking about it? How?
Movie details
- In theaters: April 9, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: September 6, 2016
- Cast: Treat Williams, George Hamilton
- Directors: Jared Martin, Robert Mrazek
- Studio: Vision Films
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Some language and brief sexual material
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