Mitt

"Mitt" is more like a collection of home video footage than a typical documentary. It shows Mitt Romney with his staff, family and friends, letting his guard down at a time when as a candidate he could rarely do so in public. This film may not change your opinion of Romney (Romney supporters will continue to think he should have won, President Obama supporters will think this validates him winning) but it will let you see a side of him that you haven't previously been able to.

The movie obviously touches on politics, it is following a candidate through two presidential campaigns after all, and the Romney's do feel that Barack Obama is not a good fit for president, but the really does as good of a job as possible of being apolitical. There isn't a focus on "told you so" moments that some Romney advisers and supporters hoped there would be. While there is criticism of Romney's opponents and of the media, the film doesn't outright bash anyone.

The main focus of the film is Mitt Romney's interactions with his family, and the tolls that a presidential campaign takes on someone and those around them. There are moments that are very personal, such as the family praying, and moments where family members reveal how incredibly difficult it is to go through the process of campaigning across the entire nation. I personally would have liked to see more of the strategy behind the campaign discussed, and more on the mechanics of traveling the country to run the campaign, but that wasn't what the focus of this was.

I enjoyed "Mitt" and so did my friends who watched it with me, and our group spanned the political spectrum from left to right. If you are interested in seeing a glimpse behind the curtain of a campaign, or in seeing a candidate when they are relaxed and not having to put on a show, you should definitely check out "Mitt".

In one of the earliest scenes of "Mitt," we hear Governor Romney giving a speech at a fund-raiser about the failure of previous presidential candidates: how the loss of an election is irreparable and indelible thing to endure. "Michael Dukakis can't get a job mowing lawns" he says to the crowd, holding up a L sign to his forehead for everyone to see. The comment (which Romney said all the way back in 2008) was a jest made in a climate of optimism and hope-a time when the former Governor of Massachusetts still had a chance at political victory. And yet, it is also an eerily prescient statement of things to come.

Fast forward to the day after the election in 2012. Romney enters into his living room with his wife in tow-slumps down into a chair, and stairs plaintively out the window overlooking his backyard. Though Mitt does not speak in that moment, we know that those words he uttered years before at the convention are resonating in his mind. Aspirations dashed, his life is finished; you could not write a more tragically ironic ending to the failed presidential saga of Willard Romney if you tried.

This is where the documentary "Mitt" is successful: in humanizing a process (and a man at the center of that process) that otherwise seems so sterile, competitive, and polished to the rest of us. It is only a political film in that it captures the world of politics: it takes no sides on the issues of the debate. Indeed, the best moments are those that show Mitt as a man plagued by doubts, anxieties, setbacks, and yes, even sleeve-related wardrobe problems. Just when Mitt Romney is leading in the primary polls of 2008, the Governor of Florida comes out in support of John McCain and quashes his hopes of Republic nomination. Just when Mitt Romney defeats Barack Obama in the first debate, his infamous "47%" video leaks to the public and isolated him from a number of potential voters. Moreover, it shows a man painfully at odds with his public image. "They think I'm a Mormon flipper." Mitt says to his family. Surely, an over-simplified appraisal of a person if there ever was one. Who knew Mitt Romney's favorite movie was "O Brother Where Art Thou" or that he was a fan of David Sedaris, or that he really loves to snack on peanuts. There is a scene in the film where Ann Romney messes up her husband perfectly coiffed hair after a speech. This is essentially the equivalent of what filmmaker Greg Whiteley does to Mitt as well. We cannot help but like him all the more for it. Again, the irony is that this is too little, and too late.

This is a pretty fluffy political documentary primarily due to the fact that even though it is covering 2 campaigns for the presidency, there isn't much about politics or policy. The bigger problem with the film, given that it is essentially Romney family home movies, is that after it is over, you really don't know anymore about Mitt then you did before. He has a really large, tightly knit family, a presidential campaign is grueling, and that's pretty much it. The Romney's are quite obviously well aware that they are on camera, so there are no 'unguarded' moments. It's a pleasant enough way to kill 1.5 hours but not as entertaining or enlightening as rereading 'Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail'.

Firstly, this isn't a film about political ideology, so everyone should appreciate this one of a kind perspective at the political campaign process. People never got to know Mitt during the previous election, which was one of his biggest problems. He seems like such a warm good person after watching this. I'd guess the only thing he's missing is the ruthlessness you would expect in a politician. This documentary (via Netflix) reveals some layers to a man who seemed so cardboard in the past. There isn't that whole battle strategy thing you're expecting (apparently this wasn't allowed to be filmed). This film comes across as a love letter to the man. At many times you feel just like you're sitting down for dinner with the family, and Mitt's your Dad. This is a rare treat for a film. It would have been a better film with some of the harder political strategy from his campaign team, but for what it is, I hope that more candidates follow this idea and release it within their election window. This kind of access to a real person reveals so much more about a person than a debate. What it reveals is a man who's just a bit too sweet and fatherly to topple his competitor. The perfect example moment is twenty-something minutes into the film after the 2008 campaign when we see him siting in a chair in the kitchen reading the paper with his glasses on; It's like a Norman Rockwell painting. Highly recommend this film for it's one-of-a-kind access to one of the great competitions of our time.

First, I wouldn't vote for Mitt Romney under any circumstances. It has nothing to do with him as a person, but for what his party represents.

This documentary is trying to show the former, and avoid the latter. Great. I am impressed with what I am seeing. I like the man who picks up the garbage on the balcony; the man who sleeps on the floor of the plane.

He is a good man. He has a good family that loves him. He has been successful. I would love to have dinner with him and discuss whatever he wants.

It would be a good thing to have something like this for all the major candidates before an election. We need to see them as real people. It may have changed the course of history.