Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart’s latest movie, “Irresistible,” is available for on-demand streaming as of Friday. So far it's gotten mixed reviews, but WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen said the film lives up to its title.
"It’s a really, really charming film,” he said during a Friday interview on Boston Public Radio. “It kind of reminded me of the great movies I watched coming of age in the '80s, where you have these small town movies with these great characters, really well portrayed.”
“Irresistible” follows Democratic consultant Garry Zimmer (played by Steve Carrell) as he tries to bring small town folksy farmer (Chris Cooper) into the political fray.
“[Carrell] sees him as the next great hope to rise up and be a great figure for the Democratic Party. So all of a sudden, the national politics descend on this small Wisconsin town as they try to intervene in this mayoral race and make Chris Cooper’s character the great mayoral candidate,” he explained.
Bowen touted performances by Carrell and Cooper, as well as Rose Byrne, who plays a Kellyanne Conway-esque conservative operative. He also credited writer and director Stewart for the film’s underlying message about excess and corruption in the modern U.S. political system.
“It’s Jon Stewart at the helm, so it has this analysis about our political system and all of the machinations, and all of the excessive money that goes into these races, and the absurdity, when it’s even just a small town mayoral race.”
“It's just really fun, it’s sweet, it’s incredibly well cast,” Bowen said.
