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The Front Runner

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for The Front Runner R 2018 1h 53m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 229 Reviews 41% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Gary Hart, former senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.
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The Front Runner

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Critics Consensus

The Front Runner exhumes the wreckage of a political campaign with well-acted wit, even if it neglects to truly analyze the issues it raises.

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Critics Reviews

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Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) 12/10/2020
2/5
The Front Runner's timidity extends even to the portrayal of Hart himself... the film instead allows him to recede into the background, leaving Jackman and his trademark charisma with very little to do. Go to Full Review Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader 02/22/2020
Most fascinating is the film's subtext that the blame for our present cultural morass doesn't rest solely with politicians or the media; in a way, they're only gladiators, thrashing to amuse an enervated citizenry that demands entertainment 24/7. Go to Full Review David Stratton The Australian 02/02/2019
4/5
The Front Runner is commendably even-handed in its portrayal of both the political system and the fourth estate. And Jackman's commanding performance should be required viewing. Go to Full Review Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) 07/14/2024
2/5
It has all the pieces necessary to make a fascinating biopic on an intriguing individual. But, it’s all narrative over analysis, and the analysis presented isn’t that deep or as well thought out as it should’ve been. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 11/04/2023
2.5/4
...the movie boasts terrific work from a thoroughly impressive roster of players... Go to Full Review M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut 08/17/2022
2.5/5
Why has a film that is so focused on driving home the failings of the media come during the current administration’s effort to silence it? Entertaining, uneven, and questionable. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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keven q @kevenquinlan Oct 17 A bit after the fact historical political bio event. It's good and Hugh is always the best. Hart, unfortunately, was kinda boring as a person. Smart but not in tune to the zeitgeist of the people or their motivations. It's worth a watch and I'll keep just for Jackman but it's not exactly enthralling cinema. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Sep 15 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Gareth v @geewah 06/22/2023 Nothing great. Comes across at times as if it's just going through the motions despite Jackman's best efforts. See more meredith w @Dufflecoats 01/29/2023 The acting is fine and the movie well-made, but there isn't a lot to it, meaning that even not knowing anything about its true-story subject matter of the scandal that derailed US presidential hopeful Gary Hart's campaign, it is difficult to feel interested or invested. See more James K 12/22/2022 Well-acted, decently scripted, and yet the film never deeply probes or is as grippingly biting as it should be. See more John B 11/12/2022 While I appreciated what they were trying to do with the Gary Hart story, I just felt it dragged on without delivering much of anything. It made me wonder if there really was a story with Gary Hart that needed to be told and why they hounded him over such a minor incident in the grand scheme of things to be a leader. See more Read all reviews
The Front Runner

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Cast & Crew

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Jason Reitman

Director

Hugh Jackman

Gary Hart

Vera Farmiga

Lee Hart

J.K. Simmons

Bill Dixon

Alfred Molina

Ben Bradlee

Mamoudou Athie

AJ Parker

Movie Clips

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The Front Runner

The Front Runner: Official Clip - This is Beneath You The Front Runner: Official Clip - This is Beneath You 2:48 The Front Runner: Official Clip - Have You Ever Committed Adultery? The Front Runner: Official Clip - Have You Ever Committed Adultery? 3:33 The Front Runner: Official Clip - Feel Stupid for a While The Front Runner: Official Clip - Feel Stupid for a While 1:56 The Front Runner: Official Clip - Too Much Time With an Unmarried Woman The Front Runner: Official Clip - Too Much Time With an Unmarried Woman 2:49 The Front Runner: Official Clip - Can You Ever Forgive Me? The Front Runner: Official Clip - Can You Ever Forgive Me? 2:17 The Front Runner: Official Clip - Hunters and the Hunted The Front Runner: Official Clip - Hunters and the Hunted 2:40 The Front Runner: Official Clip - The Other Woman The Front Runner: Official Clip - The Other Woman 2:04 The Front Runner: Official Clip - Ambushed in the Alley The Front Runner: Official Clip - Ambushed in the Alley 2:44 The Front Runner: Official Clip - It's Time to Go Home The Front Runner: Official Clip - It's Time to Go Home 2:36 The Front Runner: Official Clip - It's Not Going to Blow Over The Front Runner: Official Clip - It's Not Going to Blow Over 2:43 View more videos

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The Front Runner

The Front Runner: Trailer 2 The Front Runner: Trailer 2 2:18 The Front Runner: Trailer 1 The Front Runner: Trailer 1 2:05 View more videos
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The Front Runner

The Front Runner (2018) The Front Runner (2018) The Front Runner (2018) A scene from "The Front Runner." A scene from "The Front Runner." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Gary Hart, former senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.
Director
Jason Reitman
Producer
Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook, Aaron L. Gilbert
Screenwriter
Matt Bai, Jay Carson, Jason Reitman
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Stage 6
Production Co
Right of Way Films, Stage 6 Films, BRON Studios
Rating
R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 23, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.0M
Runtime
1h 53m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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