HBO’s Game Change looks surprisingly interesting. The film is inspired by Mark Halperin’s and John Heilemann’s book of the same name about the 2008 United States Presidential Election. While the book covers the entire 2008 elections, the film seems to focus on the Republican Party candidate, John McCain, and his running mate, Sarah Palin.
It is strange to see a film adapting a very recent historical event. And there are questions of whether Game Change will be accurate or more of an exaggerated character portrayal. Besides the trailer’s predicable and cheesy song choice of “American Woman,” this film actually seems to have heart, and will possibly attempt to portray Palin and McCain through both bad and good lenses.
There has been a lot of hype and controversy around this film, and much more around former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Since 2008, Palin has crossed the flimsy divide between politician and celebrity figure. Her foray into reality television and her daughter’s stint on "Dancing with the Stars" has projected Palin into a sometimes grim spotlight.
It looks as though Game Change similarly projects Palin into the spotlight for criticism, but also pity. At one point in the trailer, after Palin embarrasses herself publicly with her lack of Foreign Policy knowledge, she yells to someone on the phone, “I am not your puppet!” This outburst seems like a true moment of anguish that reminds viewers of Palin’s humanity.
Ed Harris plays John McCain and Woody Harrelson plays McCain’s senior campaign strategist, Steve Schmidt. Though this film, or at least the trailer, is all about Palin and her role in the 2008 election race.
Sarah Palin is played by Julianne Moore whose numerous roles as a crying/depressed housewife (see: Safe, Nine Months, Far From Heaven, The Hours) seems to fit perfectly with her portrayal of Palin who was also presented to the American public as a housewife. Though, Moore doesn’t go for laughs as Tina Fey did on SNL, this incarnation of Palin is serious and sometimes sad. The scene from the trailer where Palin, breaking down from exhaustion, wishes for her baby is quite endearing.
Whether this film is true or false, it should be viewed, first, as entertainment. Folks that get stressed over politics and accuracy may not find this film worthy. But it appears to give insight and presents images of what happened behind the scenes. Depicting what it was like to be Palin on a campaign trail, where it was more important to dress well and be an “actress” than know policy.
Game Change airs on HBO on March 10 at 9PM.
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