Friday, March 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Dryden Theatre
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(Michael Ritchie, US 1972, 110 min., 35mm)
1972 was a big year for Robert Redford, with the release of three iconic films. In this first, Redford embraces his “golden boy” status to take on the role of a fictional former California governor who is working as a public interest lawyer. In a senatorial race all but lost, political consultant Peter Boyle reaches out to Redford to run, promising he can say whatever he wants. With a strong showing, however, Redford is forced to tame his message to close the gap, losing himself and his morals in the process. Echoing the political cynicism of films like The Best Man (1962), Jeremy Larner’s Academy Award-winning screenplay takes a hard look at modern politics and the public’s acceptance of it.