I think people of all persuasions will admit that the political path of Sarah Palin is a compelling story. Starting out as the president of her PTA, going on to become a mayor and governor, then plucked from relative obscurity to be placed on a Presidential ticket. (Although she was not unknown to me, and I predicted her being chosen two days before it happened.)
Too bad that HBO has chosen to take that story and turn it into yet another character assassination of Palin -- this time with all the glitz, glamour, and "glop" of Hollywood.
Oh, just about every mainstream media review has been glowing -- from Entertainment Weekly to the Washington Post -- each declaring that the movie is well-done and captures the essence of the true Sarah Palin. They occasionally give back-handed compliments to the real woman, the Post saying:
"The movie seems to want you to realize that there’s a human being there, someone who could use a break from the scorn and expectation heaped upon her."
Seriously?! If that were true, then the producers would not have written the script based on a handful of pages from a book written by two men who were not even on the campaign trail, citing sources who refused to go on the record. (One did go on the record later, but is well known as a "disgruntled" member of John McCain's team who sought out someone to blame for his own failings.)
Oh, I'm sure that all the liberals who hate Palin will delight in seeing the fictitious scenes, such as the vice-presidential candidate in a fetal position, buckling to the pressures of the spotlight. And I'm sure that Julianne Moore (and perhaps Ed Harris, finally) will win an Emmy and maybe a Golden Globe, etc. (But I predict she can look forward to obscurity after that, as liberals will be unable to shake their image of her as that hated harpie and conservatives will not forgive her for participating in this schlockfest. Harris will be fine.)
The Undefeated panned (of course) by mainstream reviewers, more accurately tells the Sarah Palin story.
Big Hollywood has been all over this story -- in fact they have nearly two dozen pieces linked on their website that refute the accuracy and integrity of this farce. Take your pick, and you will see that this movie is deliberately unfair, counterfactual, and mean-spirited.
I myself have cancelled my HBO subscription -- I sent the cable channel an e-mail telling them it was because of this movie. I only regret not also mentioning the misogyny of Bill Maher. Perhaps you, too, might want to send HBO a similar message.
If you want to see a truly accurate portrayal of Palin, watch the documentary (you know, one of those films that has actual footage of the real person) that will be airing the following night on the REELZ channel. The Undefeated was made by a man who started out with a small interest in the governor, but then as he did his research for the film and it came to light how she had been treated during the campaign, he became a true crusader for her.
Most folks need to unlearn what they have learned about Sarah Palin. Picking the proper portrait will give her a fair shake. Everyone deserves that. Too bad HBO prefers to be another big bully.
I applaud you for the fact that, on the very day this idiot went on Fox News and asserted that the President "wanted to go back to pre-Civil War days," you're still championing the idea that she's misunderstood and, worse, maliciously maligned. You've got courage, if not blind allegiance, to spare.
"Game Change," here I come (with a glass of wine and a tub of popcorn)!
Posted by: Allison | March 09, 2012 at 06:33 PM