The Front Runner, and Q&A with Jason Reitman
- This is a past program
Though it's hard to imagine in 2018, there once was a time in American politics when candidates assumed that their personal lives were off limits to the press and voters. That was only as long ago as the 1980s. Perhaps the last presidential candidate to enter the race believing his personal "affairs" would not be scrutinized was Gary Hart, and the campaign trail has never been the same since. Jason Reitman directs Hugh Jackman in an engaging, timely portrait of a brilliant political mind undone by hubris and changing attitudes about privacy and public life. Cowritten by Matt Bai and Jay Carson (both of whom have spent careers inside the political realm), The Front Runner is authentic and frenetic, much like the Hart campaign of 1987. Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
A discussion with director Jason Reitman follows the screening. Moderated by Shaniqua McClendon, political director for Crooked Media.
The Front Runner. 2018. USA. Directed by Jason Reitman. 113 min.
MoMA Contenders 2018 is organized by The Museum of Modern Art, New York. This film program is organized by Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, and Sean Egan, Senior Producer, Film Exhibitions and Projects, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
The Hammer Museum’s presentation is made possible by The Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Foundation.
Media sponsorship is provided by The Hollywood Reporter.
