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The Candidate

Play trailer Poster for The Candidate PG 1972 1h 50m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Without a candidate to run for the senate seat against admired Republican Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter), campaign manager Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) recruits leftist lawyer Bill McKay (Robert Redford). McKay's appearance piques the public's interest, and gradually Lucas pushes McKay toward a more centrist message. As McKay's original and honest platform gets watered down, his popularity increases so much that he is running even with Jarmon as Election Day approaches.
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The Candidate

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Critics Consensus

The Candidate may not get all the details right when it comes to modern campaigning, but it captures political absurdity perfectly -- and boasts typically stellar work from Robert Redford to boot.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Cocks TIME Magazine Jun 29, 2018
Neither the authentic political atmosphere nor canny performances by Redford, Boyle and Porter go far to cut through the basic glibness of the film. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Jun 29, 2018
Much of it has a pleasing air of accuracy. But Redford's inability to suggest any irony about himself finally sinks it -- it's the only sanctimonious satire you'll ever see. Go to Full Review Kim Newman Empire Magazine Jun 29, 2018
4/5
With Redford giving one of his best comedic performances, helped by a Oscar winning script, The Candidate is witty and charming, while looking good and proving quite memorable. Go to Full Review David Elliott Chicago Daily News Oct 3, 2023
The synthetic quality of The Candidate, along with its sacrifice of substance for image, should make it offensive. It isn't, however, because it never tries to milk our emotions and is such visible fun with itself. Go to Full Review Brett Doze InSession Film May 1, 2023
A-
The Candidate is both securely of its time while also featuring parallels to the performative aspects of the political system we continue to see today. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 19, 2022
3.5/5
On the heels of one of the ugliest elections in American history, “The Candidate” is a light and frothy escape by comparison. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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ed M @RT80499164 Sep 8, 2026 Pretty good. Neat snapshot of politics in the '70's. Good performances by Robert Redford and Peter Boyle. See more Mickey B @Mickerdoo Aug 10, 2026 I mean Redford is charming, has a good speech and I don’t hate his platform. I could see how he’d get some votes. Politics tires me. See more Shaun G @RT66815191 Oct 21, 2025 Billed as a comedy or at least a satire, I felt the movie played itself too straight to come across as either. Perhaps the reality of modern politics has rubbed the satirical edge off of this 70s look at politics. Redford is likeable enough, but there were no 'laugh' moments, I felt it was too straight for comedy and not enough substance to be gripping. I watched the movie in small bursts to get through it. See more Matheus F @matheusf_neto Sep 29, 2025 I love the script of this movie and the performances of Redford and Boyle. See more Atilla T @Treviewd1nce Sep 24, 2025 Fell asleep towards the end. Also, how little has changed in our politics. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Sep 16, 2025 Funny in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Candidate

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Robert Redford

Bill McKay

Peter Boyle

Marvin Lucas

Melvyn Douglas

John J. McKay

Don Porter

Senator Crocker Jarmon

Allen Garfield

Klein

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The Candidate

The Candidate (1972) The Candidate (1972) The Candidate (1972) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Without a candidate to run for the senate seat against admired Republican Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter), campaign manager Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) recruits leftist lawyer Bill McKay (Robert Redford). McKay's appearance piques the public's interest, and gradually Lucas pushes McKay toward a more centrist message. As McKay's original and honest platform gets watered down, his popularity increases so much that he is running even with Jarmon as Election Day approaches.
Director
Michael Ritchie
Producer
Walter Coblenz
Screenwriter
Jeremy Larner
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Wildwood Enterprises, Redford-Ritchie Productions, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 29, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Runtime
1h 50m
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