Filmmakers Phil Leirness (Spectres) and Dan Butler (Frasier) straddle genres with this political-thriller/comedy, wickedly satirizing the politics of both Washington DC and Hollywood. Although set in the Bush era, this film examines the timeless themes of corruption, conspiracy, and obsession. Butler plays a politically liberal actor who seeks to skewer Karl Rove in a one man show, but instead falls in love with him. The realism of his performance is frighteningly brilliant. The film is so cleverly constructed that lefties like me may see it as a scathing attack on the right, but I suspect Republicans may enjoy it equally as an attack on Hollywood's "liberal elite." Includes delightful cameos by Alec Baldwin and the real Karl Rove.
3 Reviews
A political Mockumentary with a splash of Hollywood
madcapmagic7 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I had the opportunity to see this film at a screening and must say it was quite fun, entertaining and dark all at the same time. Shot as a mockumentary much like Tanner '88 and Tanner on Tanner, the film mixes politics with the acting world.
Beginning in the months before the 2004 Presidential election, actor Dan Butler (FRAISER) is approached by filmmaker Phil Leirness (PARTY CRASHERS) to make a film on supporting actors, the unsung heroes of Hollywood. Using this pretense, the viewer is given a first person point of view to Butler's life and is present when Butler decides to put together a one man about Karl Rove, the Republican strategist responsible for the campaign of George W. Bush and later dubbed by Bush himself as "The Architect." Starting off with the goal of exposing all the Machiavellian plans and schemes of a man seen as a conservative hero and the liberals' devil, the more Butler gets into the role, the more Butler starts to change, much to the alarm of his family and friends and leading to the question, "Who is playing whom?" The acting by Butler is top notch as a Captain Ahab after his elusive whale and is supported in the effort by his own family and friends playing themselves, giving the film a feel of realism and vitality. The first person camera work adds another character by breaking through the fourth wall and allowing the viewer to be an active participant. In addition the subject matter is presented in such a way that it will appeal to all viewers, regardless of political slant. Liberals will see it as a horror story while conservatives will see it is a comedy. Overall, a good showing of Butler's skills and talent and definitely a fun film to watch.
Beginning in the months before the 2004 Presidential election, actor Dan Butler (FRAISER) is approached by filmmaker Phil Leirness (PARTY CRASHERS) to make a film on supporting actors, the unsung heroes of Hollywood. Using this pretense, the viewer is given a first person point of view to Butler's life and is present when Butler decides to put together a one man about Karl Rove, the Republican strategist responsible for the campaign of George W. Bush and later dubbed by Bush himself as "The Architect." Starting off with the goal of exposing all the Machiavellian plans and schemes of a man seen as a conservative hero and the liberals' devil, the more Butler gets into the role, the more Butler starts to change, much to the alarm of his family and friends and leading to the question, "Who is playing whom?" The acting by Butler is top notch as a Captain Ahab after his elusive whale and is supported in the effort by his own family and friends playing themselves, giving the film a feel of realism and vitality. The first person camera work adds another character by breaking through the fourth wall and allowing the viewer to be an active participant. In addition the subject matter is presented in such a way that it will appeal to all viewers, regardless of political slant. Liberals will see it as a horror story while conservatives will see it is a comedy. Overall, a good showing of Butler's skills and talent and definitely a fun film to watch.
More relevant now that Rove is out of the White House!
lyleskosey-112 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
You can barley describe this film without a spoiler alert every other sentence so i won't do it. I will say that it is great story telling that just doesn't go where you'd expect it to or where YOU personally might want it to go! It's one of those fine, and fun, examples of film making where every viewer will take something different away from it depending on what point of view they went in to see it. Many times political satire will take a point of view and keep hitting that nail on the head. Karl Rove I Love You is more like a game of Wack'a Mole! Just when you think they're gonna put another nail in Rove's coffin TWO MORE pop up somewhere else. In these times of Obama Mania no film could be more relevant to our time.
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