I was engrossed by this, a warts 'n' all fly-on-the-wall documentary following former Democratic senator Anthony Weiner's very public fall(s) from grace as he seeks to run for the office of New York mayor. It's a remarkable look at the machinations of the American political system, trial by media, human failings and the trappings of power as well as darker issues such as mental and spousal abuse, infidelity and the seedier side of the lives of those who are driven to hold public office.
At times, one is moved to wonder how anyone can cope with the searing, magnified pressure Anthony is under but that is swiftly tempered by the reality that he brought every aspect of it on himself. The glossy image, well chosen words and attempts to portray a wholesome family man fighting for the people are constantly undermined by his actions, his words and the fact that, ultimately, he is solely responsible for every one of the scandals he became embroiled in. His combative nature could, and should, have been a potent tool to fight for the rights of the ordinary voter but time and again, when faced with cold truths and allegations, that same fight only dropped him further into the mire.
Ultimately though, Weiner isn't the victim here. Huma, his wife, is the victim; publicly used (whether consciously or otherwise) to try and portray the happy family image that politicians (especially in the US) simply cannot do without if they are to take office. She is the sole recipient of any sympathy in this film, dragged along for the whole sorry ride by a man whose political ambitions and personal yields to temptation constantly take precedence over his marriage and the vows he made. "Can I bounce back again?", "how can I win the trust of the voters?" "what more do I need to say?" and "how do I smooth this over?" Tellingly, these questions are asked by Anthony time and again while Huma's most telling statement (and the most personal of the whole film), when asked in a reflective moment how she's feeling, is "like I'm living a nightmare".
Judge not lest ye be judged; Anthony frequently asks of his detractors, "I'm not perfect, are you perfect?" No-one is perfect but this film again asks the age old questions: why do those with such a personal profile, with so much at stake and so much to lose both personally and professionally, hit the self-destruct button so frequently and so disastrously? Anthony is judged because he put himself up there to be and the judgement is damning from all corners.
Another excellent documentary on Netflix. 7.5/10
At times, one is moved to wonder how anyone can cope with the searing, magnified pressure Anthony is under but that is swiftly tempered by the reality that he brought every aspect of it on himself. The glossy image, well chosen words and attempts to portray a wholesome family man fighting for the people are constantly undermined by his actions, his words and the fact that, ultimately, he is solely responsible for every one of the scandals he became embroiled in. His combative nature could, and should, have been a potent tool to fight for the rights of the ordinary voter but time and again, when faced with cold truths and allegations, that same fight only dropped him further into the mire.
Ultimately though, Weiner isn't the victim here. Huma, his wife, is the victim; publicly used (whether consciously or otherwise) to try and portray the happy family image that politicians (especially in the US) simply cannot do without if they are to take office. She is the sole recipient of any sympathy in this film, dragged along for the whole sorry ride by a man whose political ambitions and personal yields to temptation constantly take precedence over his marriage and the vows he made. "Can I bounce back again?", "how can I win the trust of the voters?" "what more do I need to say?" and "how do I smooth this over?" Tellingly, these questions are asked by Anthony time and again while Huma's most telling statement (and the most personal of the whole film), when asked in a reflective moment how she's feeling, is "like I'm living a nightmare".
Judge not lest ye be judged; Anthony frequently asks of his detractors, "I'm not perfect, are you perfect?" No-one is perfect but this film again asks the age old questions: why do those with such a personal profile, with so much at stake and so much to lose both personally and professionally, hit the self-destruct button so frequently and so disastrously? Anthony is judged because he put himself up there to be and the judgement is damning from all corners.
Another excellent documentary on Netflix. 7.5/10