Got an Issue? There’s a Film for Any Agenda

It’s August and the political heat is on with Los Angeles right in the thick of it this week as host of the Democratic National Convention. And although the box office may not be on fire at the moment, there are plenty of movies out there with ideological fervor upon which political junkies can feast--with a few more waiting in the wings this fall.

Indeed, it’s that rare occasion when image-making and symbolism somehow meld together in politics and movies. The selling of a president is much like the selling of a mainstream movie: You have to be all things to all people.

There’s a definite blurring of issues and ideology in movies these days as some filmmakers, like expert politicians, embrace the center with cunning ambiguity. The recently opened “The Replacements” is a perfect example. Although this football comedy starring Keanu Reeves as a scab quarterback may be anti-union, it’s also anti-corporate greed--and there’s enough blame to go around.

And then there are those interesting coincidences such as “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg,” the critically acclaimed documentary about the legendary baseball player who just happened to be Jewish. It came out only a few months before Joseph Lieberman became the first Jew on a presidential ticket as Al Gore’s running mate, reminding us again how barriers are broken all the time in our country.

So, in the spirit of this campaign season, here’s a little mixing and matching of movies and party platforms--old and new--to reflect a few of these provocative issues:

Gay Rights: “But I’m a Cheerleader” explores teenage sexual identity and confusion and comes to the conclusion that even cheerleaders can be gay--and that trying to persuade anyone not to be gay is just absurd.

Likely to appeal to: Democrats.

Freedom of Speech: “Cecil B. Demented” reminds us that John Waters wrote the book on bad taste and that Hollywood should stop co-opting the gross-out culture he helped invent.

“Steal This Movie!” (opening Friday), meanwhile, an incendiary biopic about Abbie Hoffman, reminds us that 1st Amendment concerns of the ‘60s should not be taken for granted by prosperous boomers.

Likely to appeal to: Ralph Nader supporters.

Legalization of Marijuana: “Saving Grace” makes a passionate plea for growing pot as a capitalist venture in this competitive dot-com world.

Likely to appeal to: Libertarians.

Tolerance: “X-Men” demonstrates that racial intolerance leads to dire consequences (and that sometimes we truly are what we hate).

Likely to appeal to: Everyone (except Pat Buchanan)

Social Security: “The Crew” (opening Aug. 25) gives retirement a whole new meaning when Richard Dreyfuss and Burt Reynolds turn to murder to protect their apartment complex from a yuppie infusion.

“Space Cowboys” with Clint Eastwood and company shows the younger generation a thing or two about space travel and saving the world.

Likely to appeal to: Florida voters.

Right to Privacy: “The Contender” (opening Oct. 13) explodes another Washington sex scandal, as a senator (Joan Allen) tries to put a lid on her secret past in a bid to become the first female vice president.

Likely to appeal to: President Clinton.

Family Values: “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson doing everything he can as a single dad to keep his family together in the fight against the Brits during the American Revolution.

Likely to appeal to: Republicans.

The Right to Bear Arms: “The Patriot” again, with Gibson arming his boys and leading a South Carolina militia.

Likely to appeal to: The gun lobby.

Religion: “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” painted a kitschy portrait of Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, eyelashes and all, with her positive religious conviction and tolerance attracting a sympathetic gay following.

Likely to appeal to: The religious left.

Women’s Rights: “Coyote Ugly,” if you consider the right to wear skimpy outfits and dance provocatively on a bar a feminist statement.

Likely to appeal to: Male delegates.