This movie has the most 1978 marquee ever: Milquetoast 70s sitcom leftist Alan Alda gets top billing; someone named Barbara Harris gets second billing, and perennial Oscar nominee, professional on-screen ball-baby and stupid-accent faker Meryl Streep (post Deer Hunter but pre Kramer vs Kramer) takes third spot. Rip Torn and Melvyn Douglas round out the top end of the bill.
They're thrown into just about the softest movie about politics I've ever seen. How soft? At the 15-minute mark Alda's senator character makes an appearance on Merv Griffin's show. Nothing screams, ''old-lady demographic" like Merv Griffin.
The whole thing has a Very Special After School Special feel to it. Produced by the Democratic National Committee. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody in Hollywood has a script in treatment to remake this boring dog for 2020.
