User reviews

"Running Mates" is a film with some good points to make....and some bad. On balance it's worth seeing...but could have been done better.

When the story begins, Aggie (Diane Keaton) is with her mentally ill brother (Ed Begley Jr. ) at a restaurant. Hugh (Ed Harris) is also there and he recognizes her from back in high school and he asks her out for lunch when he returns to Washington. Hugh is a senator who has never married and he is definitely interested in her...so much that he asks her to marry him almost immediately...a weak part of the film since it was so fast. But she is very independent-minded and hates the idea of potentially becoming the First Lady. Despite this, her dislike of Hugh's handlers and her insisting she needs to be true to herself, she agrees to marry him. Soon the awfulness of being under the media's microscope becomes too much. What's next?

The idea of this film is excellent and the pair are both excellent actors. But the script occasionally let me down. How can such an independent and thoughtful woman be expected to sublimate who she really is? And, more importantly, how can a man who says he loves her insist that she do this?! It really didn't work for me until the very end...when he FINALLY stepped up and did the right things. In other words, the relationship seemed very one-sided and selfish on his part. Now, if you don't want the film to be a romance, then this is fine, as it shows politics as it often really is. But to try to bring romance into it...that's when the film disappointed. Watchable and even enjoyable at times but flawed.

Hugh (Ed Harris) is a hotshot, bachelor senator determined to run for president. One day, however, he happens upon an old high school classmate named Aggie. Aggie (Diane Keaton) is an accomplished and award-winning author with a lovely face and an independent spirit. Hugh is smitten. He convinces Aggie to become his fiancé. But, will Aggie have to sacrifice her principles of honesty in the world of politics, where things are not always what they seem to be? And, will she be able to withstand the rigors of a harsh media blitz? This is, mostly, a nice romance for those who adore tales of affection. Hugh and Aggie are absolutely in love and their banter and conversation are a good view. However, although the movie tries to show the political life in its reality, it doesn't completely succeed. Nevermind. The production values are high and the script is very elegantly written. With these advantages and the handsome personages of Keaton and Harris, those who sit down to the film will find it to be good entertainment.

Most of all I remember being disappointed by this made for HBO movie. Diane Keaton, Ed Harris, and most of the rest of this cast are respected actors with long lists of well received works to their credit. It's shocking to see them all together in a movie that manages to come up just short in nearly every respect.

To me, the final scene, in which Harris responds to the press corp, is worthy of viewing this intelligent and timeless slice of politics(especially the campaign phase). If only the "real-life" pols would respond in the intelligent, articulate manner as did Mr Harris,then the arrogant, self-serving members of the press would perhaps think twice before surfacing irrelevant, confrontational "garbage" that has absolutely nothing to do with a candidates abilities to effectively handle the challenges of the office for which he/she is pursuing.

Running Mates is an excellent movie charmed with two great performances. Ed Harris and Diane Keaton were spectacular! The chemistry between the two was breathtaking and very romantic. A must see in the romance department.