favorite movie #94 - election edition: shampoo

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #94 - Shampoo (1975) - Although not primarily about an election, the 1968 election of Richard Nixon as president starts the film, and the characters change partners to the backdrop of politics: Hairdresser George (Warren Beatty) escorts Jackie (Julie Christie) and Jill (Goldie Hawn)to a Republican election night party. The film is set at the beginning of Nixon's presidency, but the audience knows that Watergate and the disillusionment that scandal had on the office of president is in its characters' future. Shampoo is not just a great film, but a glimpse into the American public and personal politics of the Seventies.

favorite movie #58: heaven can wait

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #58 - Heaven Can Wait (1978) - Warren Beatty directed, produced, co-wrote, and starred in this remake of 1941's Here Comes Mr. Jordan. He plays a football player, Joe Pendleton, who is mistakenly taken to heaven before his time — by his officious guardian angel (Buck Henry). Mr. Jordan (James Mason) is called in to rectify the situation and find Joe a body so that he can return to Earth and fulfill his dreams of going to the Super Bowl. "Temporarily" installed in the body of an almost-murdered industrialist, Leo Farnsworth, Joe meets activist Betty Logan (Julie Christie) who makes him think less about sports and more about saving her little town  and the environment. Dyan Cannon and Charles Grodin are hysterical as Farnsworth's murderous wife and her lover (also his assistant). Jack Warden brings heart as Joe's mentor, coach, and surrogate father. Warren Beatty is able to balance the comedy, drama, fantasy, and romance deftly, and he's got a great arm — he's quite believable as a would-be quarterback vying for his last shot at the super Bowl before he ages out of the game. A real charmer.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, as is evidenced by Dyan Cannon's bedroom and its riot of florals.

You'd never forget me either, would you? That thing you said you saw in me. Something in my eyes, remember? If some day somebody came up to you, maybe a football player, and he acted like he'd seen you before, you'd notice that same thing, right? You'd give him a chance? He might be a good guy. — He could even be a quarterback.