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One of my all time favorites.

Just perfect...

Absolutely the worst movie.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I have watched the movie in full length only once, but it was very impressive and has persisted in my mind till today. It passes as typical for its era political drama at a first glance, but it is quite advanced and provocative for the political and social environment of the age it was shot. A first surprising element its the nature of political cooperation, ideological lines and bipartisanship which the movie presents. In today's heated, insulting political feuds political parties in the US have been crystallised into almost monolithic and compact organisations with few ideological deviations among their members and elected magistrates. So, the central idea of the political turmoil in the movie is not a juxtaposition between parties but between ideologies and regional and social differences which penetrate in both major parties. The story tones down a lot but does not erase the names and bordering lines of Democrats and Republicans; featuring instead on behaviours and acts of specific people from the whole ideological spectrum. Traditional conservatism, political manipulation by party bosses, and old-fashioned honesty and dignity are all featured in the process of hearing the candidate for Secretary of State, played by Henry Fonda, each fighting for or against the candidacy with its own means and for its own reasons. An innovative aspect is the addition of a sexually-oriented scandal, a very very advanced aspect for the era of the early '60s, when the Code was still present though waning for many years before. This plot thread could be relevant today very easily. The much screen time devoted to the Senate chamber helps unite the excellent cast to common scenes and a lot of interaction. Charles Laughton, Henry Fonda, Franchot Tone and others shine with their talent on the screen.

A brilliant adaptation of a known bestseller dealing with politic intrigues and plenty of familiar faces formed by an all-star-cast who gives extraordinary acting . Senate investigation into the President's newly nominated Secretary of State , gives light to a secret from the past , which may not only ruin the candidate , but the President's character as well. Then the USA senate presided by the Vice President (Lew Ayres) at is called upon to confirm the controversial nominee by President (Franchot Tone) for Secretary of State (Henry Fonda) . But the nominee is accused as communist by Herbert Gelman (Burguess Meredith ,in real life, he was himself named an "unfriendly witness" by the House Un-American Activities Committee, which nearly ruined his career and Will Geer, who plays the Senate minority leader, was also blacklisted for refusing to name names before the same Committee) , he testifies against Leffingwell at the latter's confirmation hearing, claiming that the two of them were members of a Communist cell . A Southern Senator (flamboyant acting by Charles Laughton) strongly opposes himself the appointment . Meantime , a senator (Don Murray) is blackmailed (the blackmail attempt is based on the case of Wyoming Senator Lester C. Hunt, who was blackmailed by members of the Republican Party). Gripping and long movie that contains over-the-top performances, engrossing drama , intrigue , corruption , political events and a special vision of US Senate and its behind-the-scenes Washington . Thought-provoking and stimulating film in which abounds top-drawer acting among the popular stars ; interesting screenplay from Allen Drury bestselling novel wheeling with a suspenseful intrigue about a controversial senator promoted to Secretary of State . When Allen Drury was writing the novel , John F. Kennedy, upon whom the character Senator Lafe Smith was based, was a young Senator with ambitions to be President. When the movie came out Kennedy was President, and Lafe Smith was played by Peter Lawford who was, at that time, married to Kennedy's sister Patricia . Main and support cast are very fine , there abounds magnificent performances as Don Murray , Paul Ford , Walter Pidgeon , Peter Lawford , Gene Tierney , Edward Andrews , Malcolm Atterbury and Franchot Tone , among others . Fascinating interpretation by Charles Laughton at his final movie , easily the most stimulating acting . Furthermore , stands out Henry Fonda who gives an adequate underplaying and the scene-stealing best , George Grizzard . Good production design by Lyle Wheeler , for the scenes taking place inside the US Senate, Columbia dusted off its senate set built for Mr Smith Goes to Washington. Appropriate cinematography in Panavision by Sam Leavitt , though also there is a horrible version being shown in computer-colored . Atmospheric and appropriate musical score by Jerry Fielding . This engrossing , riveting picture was effective and compellingly directed by Otto Preminger . At the beginning he became a stage director and subsequently a notorious secondary actor . Otto directed several films , nowadays many of them are considered as classic movies . He made ¨Laura¨ that was released in 1944 and Preminger ranked as one of the top directors in the world . He realized all kind of genres as Court drama such as the great success ¨Anatomy of a murder¨, ¨Court martial of Billy Mitchell¨ , Noir film as ¨Laura¨ which made him an A-list director in Hollwyood , ¨Angel Face¨ , ¨Man with a golden arm¨, Religious drama as ¨The Cardinal¨ , Musical as ¨Porgy and Bess¨, ¨Carmen Jones¨ , Western as ¨River with no return¨ and historical as ¨Saint Joan¨, ¨Exodus¨ though also had some flop as ¨Rosebud¨ getting scathing reviews , though with ¨The human factor¨ won him respectful notices . However , his powers began to wane after and by the end of the decade of the 60s he was considered washed-up . ¨Advise and Consent¨ resulted to be one of the his best films . Rating : Better than average , Worthwhile watching .

The wheels of justice turn slowly and so does Advise and Consent in this sometimes leaden but absorbing look at Washington politics made in the era of Kennedy. Laden with fine performances and interesting plot twists it does a marvelous job of distancing itself from displaying bias and by keeping things objective with both noble and ulterior motive the part of everyone's make-up.The gravely ill President (Franchot Tone) wants to see his vision for America continue after he's gone. He's showed no faith in his Vice President (Lew Ayres) and pins his hopes on Secratary of State nominee Robert Lefingwell(Henry Fonda) . South Carolina Senator Seabright Cooley (Charles Laughton) is determined to stop it and rumors circulating paint Lefingwell with a Red past. His supporters in turn get down and dirty with a committee member.There are no Mr. Smith's in Advise and Consent to raise the emotional tenor of this informative and evenly handed film directed by Otto Preminger. It's Realpolitik without stridency where the true greatness lies in the resiliency of the United States to have seamless transitions of power and the work of government uninterrupted.The halls of government and the expanse of the mall are ideally suited for Preminger's long takes and exquisite camera movement utilizing it as both grand stage and metaphor. His choice of Fonda (Tom Joad growed up) as Leffingwell is almost as provocative as England's Laughton playing a Southern Senator with outstanding corn pone relish is. Ayres, Tone, Walter Pidgeon and Burgess Merideth also contribute excellently measured performances. The film does unwind slowly at times with some superfluous and long winded (remember we are dealing with politicians here) but Preminger for the majority of the film keeps the plot taut and the ambiguity flowing. A well acted drama and an intriguing way to show the workings of Democracy, I would advise in the affirmative.

This is a truly remarkable film on so many levels. First, just in regard to some facts about the film: Having lived in the D.C., I was amazed at how many scenes were filmed on location, even in the Capitol itself. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was offered a cameo role as a U.S. Senator by director Preminger, but he declined. That Preminger hired several blacklisted actors to play supporting roles -- Burgess Meredith, Lew Ayers and Will Geer. That the topic of homosexuality was a key part of the script back in 1962. That a gay bar was depicted. That it was the comeback film for the mentally ill Gene Tierney. That current favorite Betty White made her film debut here. That it was Charles Laughton's last film before his death of cancer. And that Peter Lawford played the role of a senator while his brother-in-law was the actual president.Then there's the fact that despite being nearly 50 years ago, the Senate and government clearly still work much the same when it comes to presidential appointments. So many situations here will remind you of today's political climate, although now we are without the Cold War, which figures into this plot.The performances in this film are as solid as they get. Franchot Tone excellent as the dying president. Lew Ayers solid as the vice president. Henry Fonda excellent as the nominee for Secretary Of State. Don Murray excellent as a senator being blackmailed. Peter Lawford surprisingly good as a senator. Walter Pidgeon excellent as the Senate majority leader. But special kudos belong to Charles Laughton, who -- though not one of my favorites -- gives the performance of a lifetime...although there were other performances of his that were equally wonderful (for example, his role in "This Land Is Mine"). A fitting end of a career to a man who would be dead not long after the premiere of his last film.Excellent film in all regards.