Ed Harris stars as John McCain and Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin in HBO's award-winning "Game Change." (HBO Home Entertainment)
Game Change, the HBO movie starring the chameleon-like Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin, was honored with Emmy and Golden Globe wins. And deservedly so. The film, which came out on Blu-ray with HBO Select on Jan. 8, brought to mind other civic-minded movies and TV shows available on DVD, just as richly acted. (The inauguration festivities put me in a patriotic mood … ) Stand back from the screen; here’s the heat.
Primary Colors (1998): First, check the cast of the Oscar-nominated film. John Travolta and Emma Thompson lead the credits, which include Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates and Larry Hagman. Second, know that it’s based on a book that turned out to be written by Joe Klein, a journalist in the know during the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. And Travolta makes a mean Clinton stand-in. There, I’ve said too much …
The American President (1995): Annette Bening literally sparkles in her role as a lobbyist-turned-love interest for a widowed president (Michael Douglas) running for re-election. This movie will make you a fan, if you’re not one already. Yes, it’s romantic in spots. Yes, it’s comedic in spots. But don’t you dare call it a rom-com. Aaron Sorkin, who knows his way around a White House, wrote it, and the always great Anna Deavere Smith (Nurse Jackie) shines her usual light.
Dave (1993): It’s far-fetched, of course. But it’s so engagingly told and well-acted, you won’t mind. The president goes into a coma and a lookalike (Kevin Kline) is found to take his place. And, score, it boasts Anna Deavere Smith, too!