Themes: Battle of the Sexes, Opposites Attract, On the Campaign Trail
Main Cast: Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Christopher Reeve, Bonnie Bedelia, Ernie Hudson
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 99 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
A mix of political satire and a modern take on 1930's-style screwball comedy, this romance from director Ron Underwood was assumed by many to be based on the real-life relationship between liberal political consultant James Carville and conservative commentator Mary Matalin. Michael Keaton stars as Kevin, an insomniac who meets Julia (Geena Davis) in a store late one night as they haggle over the last bottle of sleeping pills. After spending a romantic evening together, Kevin and Julia each discover to their chagrin that the other is a rival speechwriter in a nasty New Mexico senatorial campaign. As the senate race heats up, the bickering pair tries to keep the relationship alive, but then Julia's ex-fiance Baghdad Bob Freed (Christopher Reeve), a network news foreign correspondent, shows up with the intention of renewing their relationship. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Charles Martin Smith - Kratz; Gailard Sartain - Cutler; Mitchell Ryan - Wannamaker; Ray Baker - Garvin; Brad Blaisdell - Bartender; Mickey Cottrell - Debate Moderator; Frank di Elsi - Kip; Willie Garson - Dick; Tony Genaro - Truck Driver; Mary Pat Gleason - Desk Clerk; Marques Johnson - Hartford; Rob La Belle - Security Guard; Paul Lazar - Harry; Peter MacKenzie - Andy; Richard McGonagle - Dignitary; Loyda Ramos - Maid; Robin Pearson Rose - Teacher; Steven Wright - Eddie; Harry Shearer - Chuck; Richard Poe - Tom; Steve Gonzales - Jim Rodriguez
Credit
Tom Targownik - Art Director, Howard Feuer - Casting, Jane Robinson - Costume Designer, Jerry Bono - Costume Designer, Ron Underwood - Director, Richard Francis-Bruce - Editor, Harry Colomby - Executive Producer, Marc Shaiman - Composer (Music Score), Richard Bryce Goodman - Musical Direction/Supervision, Dennis Washington - Production Designer, Donald Peterman - Cinematographer, Geena Davis - Producer, Renny Harlin - Producer, Mary Kane - Producer, Marvin March - Set Designer, Robert King - Screenwriter, H. Spencer Young - Production Assistant
Julia Mann (Davis) and Kevin Vallick (Keaton) are two insomniac writers who fall madly in love late one night, but their romance is thrown for a loop when they find out that they are both writing speeches for rival candidates in an election, with Julia writing for the Democratic candidate and Kevin writing for the Republican candidate. Also complicating matters are Kevin's ex-wife (Bedelia) who is also on the Republican campaign trail and "Mr. Flack Jacket" reporter Bob 'Bagdad' Freed (Reeve), Julia's estranged fiance who wants her back.
Views
The movie focuses on two speechwriters for different senatorial candidates in the state of New Mexico. The film is tied up with the American senatorial election of 1994 where only 53 percent voted. It tries to find the roots of the problem by showing how candidates battle for election by undermining the each others' effort.
References
Kauffmann, Stanley (January 23, 1995). "Speechless.(movie reviews)" (in English). The New Republic.
Stolee, James (August 28, 1995). "Sleepless or speechless, this is only so-so comedy." (in English). Alberta Report / Western Report (United Western Communications Ltd.).
