Advise & Consent
Otto Preminger's charged Capitol drama turns a Secretary of State confirmation hearing into a ruthless test of conscience, loyalty, and private secrecy.
Overview
A gripping political drama that unravels the complexities of power and integrity in Washington D.C.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- caustic
- austere
- paranoid
- classic film night
- political drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the capable ensemble performances and clear characterizations while finding the screenplay overly talky, sensationalized, and occasionally illogical.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The nomination plot unfolds through committee investigation, testimony, votes, and behind-the-scenes Senate maneuvering.
Threats concerning Senator Anderson's concealed personal life become tools in the fight over Leffingwell's confirmation.
Leffingwell's alleged Communist affiliations and his Senate opponents' anti-Communist scrutiny organize the central political conflict.
Preminger uses the Senate chamber, hearing spaces, offices, and Washington interiors as imposing arenas for debate and pressure.
Films like Advise & Consent, and why
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
political institutions, moral compromise, and forceful ensemble dialogue
All the King's Men
idealism confronting entrenched political power in a serious American drama
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
senatorial maneuvering, procedural debate, and ethical conflict
The Best Man
adult political intrigue, scandal, and morally compromised public figures
Movie Details
- Director
- Otto Preminger
- Release Date
- 1962-06-06
- Runtime
- 139 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (129)
Cast
- Henry Fonda
- Charles Laughton
- Don Murray
- Walter Pidgeon
- Peter Lawford
- Gene Tierney
- Franchot Tone
- Lew Ayres
- Burgess Meredith
- Eddie Hodges
Common questions
- What is Advise & Consent about?
- Otto Preminger's charged Capitol drama turns a Secretary of State confirmation hearing into a ruthless test of conscience, loyalty, and private secrecy.
- What is Advise & Consent like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Advise & Consent as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Advise & Consent violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Advise & Consent as moderate.
- What did critics think of Advise & Consent?
- Critics broadly praised the capable ensemble performances and clear characterizations while finding the screenplay overly talky, sensationalized, and occasionally illogical.
- Which films are like Advise & Consent?
- Films with a similar feel include The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, All the King's Men, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and The Best Man.
- How long is Advise & Consent?
- Advise & Consent runs 139 minutes.
