Recount (TV) (2008) Synopsis:
A chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidental election and the subsequent recounts in florida.
Recount (TV) (2008) Movie Review:
We all remember the events surrounding the Florida voting recount of the 2000 presidential election of the United States. As a viewer of the over-the-top media coverage, it just felt like that the situation just keep going on and on, eventually ending up at the Supreme Court. The end result was that George W. Bush was the first candidate to become President of the United States in over 100 years that had fewer popular votes than his opponent, Al Gore.
Under the watchful producing eye of the late Sydney Pollack and the direction of Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents) comes Recount, a insightful HBO film that shows both sides (Democrats and Republicans) of the recount process to elect the Commander and Chief of the 2000 election.
At first one precedes that this will either be conservative or liberal, and at times the democratic or Gore side seem to be the good guys, but Roach and writer Danny Strong keep things in balance. The end result is a thought-provoking political potboiler that will give you more entertainment value to the voting ballots, procedures, individuals involved in the 2000 electoral process than any special on MSNBC or CNN could provide.
The majority of the film takes place behind the scenes with Gore’s side being led by his former chief of staff Ron Klain (Kevin Spacey), who takes control of the situation after super-lawyer Warren Christopher (John Hurt) has to leave to attend a family matter. Also included on the democratic front are field director Michael Whouley (Denis Leary), campaign director Bill Daley (Mitch Pileggi), and sharp lawyer David Boies (Ed Begley, Jr.). The republicans are led by former Secretary of State James Baker (Tom Wilkinson), liaison Mac Stipanovich (Bruce McGill), and national council Ben Ginsberg (Bob Balaban). Also in involved with the law decisions on the recount are Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris (Laura Dern).
The outcome is one that we all know, but Roach’s patient direction keeps the film engaging and as mentioned before offers more depth to the steps that were taken by both parties. There is an also ample amount of terminology from Roach and Strong in clarifying things that could be confusing or distractions. An example is the explanation of a chad, which are the circular pieces of paper punched out of the voting ballots. The removed chad are used to read the votes on the punched card ballots. Roach has mostly been involved in physical comedies, in which Recount does garner some laughs, but it is more of a political drama than a comedy.
Kevin Spacey is stellar in his complex role of Ron Klain, who is leading the fight for the Gore campaign, even though he does not really like the candidate. Spacey shares terrific chemistry with Denis Leary, who dons a thick northern accent in his role as Michael Whouley. John Hurt resembles and plays lawyer Warren Christopher with a respect and manner that is not only understanding for his counterpoints, but frustrating as well. On the republican side, Tom Wilkinson is super as James Baker with his slicked back white hair and yearns for caffeine soda. Bob Baladan and Bruce McGill also turn in nice work in their supporting roles as characters in attempts to help land George W. Bush as President. However, Laura Dern steals the show as the klutzy and materialistic Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. Dern not only resembles Harris, but also masters her mannerisms in her firecracker performance.
Recount is a fine film of political intrigue about an important, frustrating, and in terms of process, embarrassing time in American politics. Director Jay Roach keeps the film loose and fresh, and even offers a few laughs in its political manner. There political parties are not seen as one bad side or one good side, but the outcome and the process of the recount is the centrality of this film. This is an entertaining and fun movie from HBO pictures that should receive numerous Emmy nominations and wins. Especially look for Spacey, Wilkinson, and Dern to win numerous awards for their acting work in this one.
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Recount (TV) (2008) review written by: Bailey Henderson
7th September, 2008 
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