American political conventions have always been hotbeds of intrigue and drama – even when the result is a foregone conclusion – and Hollywood has often used them as a backdrop. Dan Slevin selects some of the best and most interesting examples for Jesse Mulligan on Afternoons.
Other films, TV shows and plays discussed
The Manchurian Candidate (Frankenheimer, 1962):
The Best Man Broadway revival (Gore Vidal, 2012):
Best of Enemies (Gordon/Neville, 2015):
Medium Cool (Wexler, 1970):
Tanner '88 (Trudeau/Altman, 1988):