'Weiner' review: A riotous, cringe-worthy & astute swipe at politics & the media
Anthony Weiner's sexting controversy might actually be the least interesting aspect of this captivating film. The brilliance of the documentary "Weiner" (opening in theaters nationwide June 3) is not just its merciless take on the scandal itself - but its entertaining and gripping behind-the-scenes look at a campaign team in constant damage control while supporting a candidate who is apparently intent on self destructing.
In short: Two years after his infamous sexting scandal, former Congressman Anthony Weiner bids to become the 2013 Democratic mayoral candidate in New York City. (Watch the trailer)
The tragedy of Anthony Weiner, as depicted in this documentary, is not merely the act of tweeting out salacious photos. Given every opportunity, he apparently simply cannot help himself. Anthony Weiner may very well be one of the most righteous politicians to hold public office - but this film paints the portrait of an undoubtedly pathologically self-destructive man trying to win back the hearts and minds of the people. He is both protagonist and antagonist in his own attempt at a comeback.
Having a front-row seat to this disaster is fun, but this documentary's candid peek into the inner-workers of a political campaign team is fascinating. The wheels of his campaign machine work hard not only to redeem his name - but deal with his ridiculous campaign antics. From his long-suffering communication manager to all of his campaign staff and volunteers, Weiner drags a whole army of people through the mud along with him as his trainwreck of a political campaign blunders forward. If the tragedy of "Weiner" is Anthony's talent for implosion, the comedy is in his unending ability to make a bad situation much, much worse.
But perhaps the most intriguing character is Anthony's wife Huma Abedin. She's not merely a betrayed but loyal wife who stands by her husband - the former Hillary Clinton staffer is a complex woman thrown into an absurd circus, with her own husband as its crazed ringmaster. Huma's shrewd and savvy political awareness makes her the perfect foil to Anthony's impulsive, if impassioned, behavior. While Huma does not say much, her body language cannot hide her obvious shock and disappointment in Anthony's behavior.
Just below the chaos of Weiner's campaign is a jaded undercurrent that has no love for the media's sensationalism. While Weiner desperately tries to stay on-topic, discussing his campaign platforms, the media can be counted on to drag the conversation back to the lurid. Whether its the media's utter disinterest in Weiner's plans for New York City or the reporters' lazy impulse to immediately ask about the sexting at any given opportunity, the media certainly comes out looking worse than Anthony Weiner in this film. He may be a flawed human being, the media looks like a single-minded, simple industry more interested in scandal than substance.
Final verdict: This is a masterwork of political satire that has all the key ingredients of gripping drama. "Weiner" is one of the most insightful, cringe-worthy and riveting films of 2016.
Score: 5/5
This film screened at the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival. "Weiner" opens in theaters nationwide June 3. This film is rated R for language and some sexual material and has a running time of 96 minutes.
