The film attempts to show the cutthroat decisiveness of one of the last vestiges of electoral battling in the 2004 Presidential race between Senator Kerry and the incumbent, President George W. Bush. The film follows the tales of three “characters”: Miles Gerety-a carryover political activist from the 1960s movements, Evan-a 26 year old college student who believes that he can be a force of change in the political machine, and Leslie-a grass roots activist who takes the election to heart and gives the campaign everything she has. Miles and Evan have the majority of the screen time, and are both Democrats. The concept of the film is the reigning political philosophy that the heartland of America is the truest test of the fabric of the American public consciousness. The title of the movie is in fact, a variable of a political stance that exemplifies that theory…”As goes Ohio, so goes the nation.” The filmmakers therefore follow the three campaigners across the state, from Cleveland to Cincinnati and even to the small, aptly named town of Middleburg, located in the heart of the state. Through documentary style footage, news footage and interviews, we are led through the tension and struggle that was the 2004 election. The film spans only 12 days prior to the election, yet traverses far more issues and miles in its travel.
Stern and Deo attempt to work the documentary genre into an entertaining piece of work. The intention is to follow in the footsteps of the great political documentaries that came before them. Unfortunately however, the editing choice to attempt to bring the project to a level greater than the sum of its parts leaves the film feeling far more like a rallying cry for the Democrats than a non-partisan expose of the door to door and hand to hand politics of other film. Nation attempts to find the middle ground between the gritty realism of Street Fight with the intensity and drama of The War Room. There are indeed moments of rallies, door to door campaigning and even the occasional shouting match, but the overall effect of the editing is more Fahrenheit 911 than a true documentary. The fact that Michael Moore is featured speaking at a rally for the Democratic Party does nothing to dispel this notion. Much of the films actual campaign footage focuses on “guerrilla tactics” that the Republican Party used to entice those registered with their party to vote “appropriately”. Those who fail to agree to vote with the party line are set up to be “revisited in a few days”. The film is biased not only in its presentation of evidence regarding the electoral process of 2004, but even in the amount of time given to each party, or “character”. While Miles and Evan’s work receives lengthy screen time, Leslie’s campaign activities on screen can literally be measured in seconds. The film is distinct, clear and focused…on its own agenda. Whether the filmmakers set out to make a rally cry for the Dems or simply made honest editing mistakes remains to be seen, but Hillary and Obama should certainly add this film to their volunteer packages for 2008.
The DVD release follows the trends found throughout today’s politically charged society. The Republicans are stereotyped as rich, conservative bigots, and even in their interviews at the end of the film are oddly commenting on how good of a fight the Dems put up. The disc is set to be a wonderful tool for both political parties in the years to come, the Do’s and Do Not Do’s of political campaigning along with undoubtedly being an important part of upcoming political science classes at Universities around the country. The additional features of the DVD are virtually non-existents, providing nothing more than an overlay commentary with the directors that fails to explain the partisan nature of the film.
Stern and Deo obviously began with good intentions and bright dreams, but a film started on a 3-day notice, filmed in 12 days, and edited with the wrong demographic in mind can only go so far on its own. Sometimes even the most well intentioned creations simply come out as Frankenstein.
