The Front Runner (2018)

Director: Jason Reitman
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons
Runtime: 113 minutes

Synopsis: In 1987, U.S. Senator Gary Hart's presidential campaign is derailed when he's caught in a scandalous love affair.

Performances: 7/10
Screenplay: 4/10
Costumes/Makeup: 7/10
Editing: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Score/Soundtrack: 4/10

Verdict: "The Front Runner" is Jason Reitman's second directorial feature released in 2018 following "Tully". And while the latter is one of my favorite movies of that year, this one's one of the most frustrating.

The true story of Senator Gary Hart's presidential campaign in 1987 is not all bad. In fact, it has strong performances by notably Hugh Jackman in the lead, Vera Farmiga, or J.K. Simmons, as well as a couple of interestingly shot long takes here and there. And that's pretty much it.

Everything else, from the film's presentation to the dialogue, struck me as bland and unengaging, making this political drama extremely dull and, to a certain extent, boring.

"The Front Runner" is definitely not Reitman's best project to date. Aside from a couple of good performances, I found everything else to be forgettable and painfully uninspired. It was sadly a waste of an immense cast and undeniably talented director. 

FINAL GRADE: 4/10