Irresistible

Irresistible
Starring Steve Carell, Rose Byrne, Chris Cooper, Mackenzie Davis
Directed by Jon Stewart

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism."  Thus were the words spoken by the first President of the United States, George Washington, on the dangers of a two-party political system.  Of course, we didn't listen to this vexed warning and have had to endure the prophecy Washington stated come to fruition, to the point now we seemingly can't co-exist with one another anymore.  America is more divided than ever, with both sides flinging insults and pandering to their own bases without true emotion or feeling, and it's under this guise that famed celebrity Jon Stewart directed "Irresistible," a film that sheds an unflinching light on the seedier side of politics and how, in all honesty, neither party really cares for the voters they say they care about.

After the 2016 election found Donald Trump surprisingly winning the Presidency, Democratic operative Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell) is in a funk, thinking that the Democratic Party will never regain power - until he's shown a viral video from rural Wisconsin of Marine Colonel Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper) offering a dissenting opinion at a small town town hall meeting about forcing immigrants to show ID when voting.  He believes that he can convince Jack to run for governor of his small town, and since he showcases values that appeal to Republicans, be a man who can bridge the gap and perhaps turn Wisconsin back to blue.

Zimmer arrives in the small town of Deerlaken, where he sticks out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of the middle country America.  He meets with Hastings and convinces him to run, with the aid of Jack's daughter Diana (Mackenzie Davis).  Zimmer starts a grassroots operation that slowly builds momentum and draws the attention of the national Republican party, who sends their own operative - Faith Brewseter (Rose Byrne) - to the town to help the current Republican governor get re-elected.  As the two banter and bicker amongst one another, they show the darker, seedier side of politics that prove that ultimately neither party cares about the little guy, but about the power they can obtain with their unlimited resources and money available.

With a name like Jon Stewart directing, you'd expect "Irresistible" to be a film that glorifies the Democratic Party and villainize the Republican Party, but he manages to balance the two and show how feckless and shallow both parties can be (in a very humorous beginning, Zimmer is talking to his fellow Democratic operatives where one talks about needing to cater to the African American and Latino communities, while ignoring the African American woman in the room).  Stewart holds no punches in his humor, which showcases itself as oddly relatable ways where I found myself constantly thinking, "I've heard this before," but not in a satirical way.  He really does a great job at skewing politics for what it is, even if he heightens some moments for comedic value, it's still something pretty much anyone who's followed politics at all can relate to.

While he does manage to deliver the laughs and surprisingly thoughtful political commentary, "Irresistible" doesn't quite reach an elevation that makes it something memorable shortly after watching it.  It could've been a huge impactful film that could be studied, but rather flatlines in its ultimate delivery, even during the final moments that waxes philosophical about the deceitfulness of politics.  Still, it's an enjoyable film to watch due to the committed performances, especially from Steve Carell and Rose Byrne, who play political operatives from different parties who continually try to one-up the other and who show obvious sexual tension between each other. 

Carell is at his best in playing an everyman character, and Gary Zimmer is basically Carell in fiction form - he tries to integrate himself with the general populous of the small town by going to the local bar and ordering a "burger and a Bud," despite the fact that the bar is obviously a German-themed bar with no such delicacies (in another hilarious moment we see a bus boy from the bar across the street getting said burger and Bud from another restaurant).  Carell tries to embody the essence of a Democrat - trying to not insult minorities, drive eco-friendly cars, and unsuccessfully try to relate to the country folk.  On the flip side, Rose Byrne's Faith Brewster is basically a fictionalized Kellyanne Conway, complete with bleach blonde hair and a no-nonsense attitude, who caters to the fears and insecurities of the townsfolk to vote against Gary's candidate, which is something eerily reminiscent of recent Republican talking points. 

What "Irresistible" does very well is profiling the middle of America between New York and Los Angeles, a wide section of the population who would rather attend tractor pulls and bonfires than million-dollar dinners and fundraisers, and how both parties treat them like pieces of meat.  It would've been even funnier if it wasn't so accurate, but the film also proves that not all midwesterners are "country bumkins," showcased especially through Chris Cooper and Mackenzie Davis's performances.  Jack is the anomaly of the town, a pure white-bred, truck driving, God-fearing, gun toting man that you'd expect would bleed Republican red, but holds to values more closely associated to the Democratic blue.  Cooper plays Jack with a quiet reserve, a man who lets his words speak louder than false actions, and totally commands the screen.  Mackenzie Davis also serves as a grounded character as Jack's daughter Diana, who is soft spoken but determined, and seems to know more than anyone else in the town about the happenings of daily life.  These two serve as a great contrast to Carell and Byrne's chaotic energy, offering balance to a film that could've gone completely off the rails.

Shedding light on how politics aren't really about the common man, "Irresistible" manages to balance both parties and give a not-too-deep dive into what makes them tick, delivered with great performances and a sharply-written script.

The Score: B+