I saw Emilo Estevez' terrific new movie "Bobby" last night and heartily recommend it to fellow Kosovians. In the style of Robert Altman, the film follows several different stories on the day of the 1968 California primary in which Kennedy defeated McCarthy, virtually assuring him of the nomination for President, until he was murdered while leaving the Ambassador Hotel ballroom after his victory speech.
The film captures a moment in history not unlike our own. An unpopular president not running for re-election, a slowly but inexorably escalating foreign conflict built on lies, a deeply divided body politic reflecting bubbling social unrest, a deeply skeptical public mood, a D.C. establishment completely in the thrall of warmongering and fear of phantom menaces.
While the filmaker’s character studies and the deep and talented cast are worth seeing in their own right, the most powerful moments are Kennedy's own speeches on war, poverty, and injustice, which are played at length throughout the film. The obvious dedication, compassion and utter sincerity that comes across the screen from both RFK and the characters in the film playing his campaign workers seem absent in the 21st century arena of the blow-dried, focus-group-tested, triangulating political hominids currently at the top of the Washington D.C. food chain.
Howard Dean is a politician with the fire and guts that we see from Bobby in the film, and from the little I've heard and seen of them, Jim Webb and Jon Tester may be politicians from the mold of an RFK: educated, logical, patriotic firebrands who represent the people, not the powerful. They should carry his mantle, read his speeches, and work closely with Dean, who's been proven right over and over, to end this stupid war, put sense back into out tax policy, and deal with the health care crisis in America today.
Kennedy's tragic story is as compelling; he was a handsome and charismatic man destined for greatness before his tragic assasination. Emilio Estevez has made a terrific film in his name that should become a rallying point for Democrats during the remainder of this dark time of Bush/Cheney rule. It will help us connect to a time and place not so long ago in our history when the people were not afraid to challenge authority, when the Press and the Democratic Party unltimately worked up the courage to investigate and evict another corrupt and venal Republican White House.
The movie is only playing in NY and LA as of now, but if the word of mouth spreads and this film is seen all across America I am sure that people of all political stripes will be touched by the words and images of Bobby Kennedy. So run out and see it, y'all!