Video Review

Advise and Consent

Reviewed by Terry Catchpole | Sep 21, 1990
EW's GRADE
B+

Details With: Henry Fonda; Distributor: Video Treasures

Advise and Consent, a windy, watchable backstage political drama, focuses on a Senate confirmation battle over the controversial appointment by the President of a liberal pacifist (Henry Fonda) to be Secretary of State. Although based on Allen Drury's novel of Cold War red-baiting, Otto Preminger's film is still headline-fresh. The movie's topical plot twists include allegations of homosexuality and presidential incompetence. Best casting: JFK in-law Peter Lawford as a womanizing New England senator. B+

Originally posted Sep 21, 1990 Published in issue #32 Sep 21, 1990 Order article reprints