A washed-up political strategist, Jane Bodine, is hired by a political consultancy to help their client, Senator Castillo, win the Bolivian general election. Bodine used to be the best in the game but an unfortunate series of events during a campaign saw her reputation, and confidence, destroyed. What sealed the deal was that she will be coming up against her long-time arch rival and nemesis, Pat Candy.
Reasonably entertaining. Some funny moments and the mood is generally quite light-hearted. Some of the political machinations and stunts are quite clever too and often add to the humour. Some degree of engagement too, as it is clear who you should be backing in the presidential race.
However, there's not much new here. The setting - Bolivia - may be original but that's about it. Movies like Primary Colours and Wag the Dog plus TV series like Veep and House of Cards have already covered the dirty inner workings of politics and elections, and done it a lot better. Real life would have prepared the audience too.
And there's the other problem. Who wants to be reminded of what a loathsome industry politics is? Not me, that's for sure.
There are two twists towards the end, but they don't really do anything for the movie. The first was a touch predictable. The second was idealistic and superficial. They could just have ended it with the election results and left one with the impression that the movie is a comedy. Instead, after being reasonably light- hearted all along, the movie suddenly ramped up the drama and attempts at profundity towards the end. Was pretty shallow and a matter of too little, too late.
Reasonably entertaining. Some funny moments and the mood is generally quite light-hearted. Some of the political machinations and stunts are quite clever too and often add to the humour. Some degree of engagement too, as it is clear who you should be backing in the presidential race.
However, there's not much new here. The setting - Bolivia - may be original but that's about it. Movies like Primary Colours and Wag the Dog plus TV series like Veep and House of Cards have already covered the dirty inner workings of politics and elections, and done it a lot better. Real life would have prepared the audience too.
And there's the other problem. Who wants to be reminded of what a loathsome industry politics is? Not me, that's for sure.
There are two twists towards the end, but they don't really do anything for the movie. The first was a touch predictable. The second was idealistic and superficial. They could just have ended it with the election results and left one with the impression that the movie is a comedy. Instead, after being reasonably light- hearted all along, the movie suddenly ramped up the drama and attempts at profundity towards the end. Was pretty shallow and a matter of too little, too late.