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ACTOR
Alan AldaBarbara HarrisMeryl StreepRip Torn
DIRECTOR
Jerry Schatzberg
SYNOPSICS
The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) is a English movie. Jerry Schatzberg has directed this movie. Alan Alda,Barbara Harris,Meryl Streep,Rip Torn are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1979. The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) is considered one of the best Drama movie in India and around the world.
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The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) Reviews
Engrossing political/romantic drama with fine performances by its stars.
Joe Tynan (Alan Alda) is a middle-aged senator campaigning for a seat in the senate. Karen Traynor (Meryl Streep in an early, slightly vampish performance) is an attractive blonde political researcher from Louisiana helping Tynan fight against a Southern senator who is in favor of segregation. During this time, Joe and Karen succumb to mounting pressures and have an explosive, sexually-charged (but transitory) affair. This, in addition to a turbulent home life with his neurotic wife Ellie (Barbara Harris, who is luminous) and troubled teenage daughter Janet (Blanche Baker), further complicates Joe's life in his quest of going up for office. An emotionally adult story, with elements of politics and humanity nicely woven together by writer-star Alda, but there are some questions left to be answered: What exactly is wrong with Janet, and why doesn't Joe take other measures (beyond asking questions) to try to relate to her? Why isn't this same attention paid to his equally distant son? The most noteworthy moments in the movie are the poignant scene when elderly Senator Birney (Melvyn Douglas, in one of his final roles) rambles on in French at the senate hearing, an allusion to oncoming senility, and the tense fight scene at home when Tynan is confronted by Ellie about his affair. An remarkably effective drama about the war between politics and the All-American Family. *** of ****
Art Predicting life
As Rip Torn is getting a blow job in his senatorial office, an aide looks down and sees a woman's legs under the desk. The senator from La. tells the aide to leave, and we see the bewildered look on his face as he leaves. Small wonder, though, as this movie which shows the salacious side of life in D.C. goes on to reveal wild parties. This same senator is seen bragging on his mile-high exploits and the party climaxes in the grand piano being shoved out the window and traveling down the driveway, flowers on top intact. Barbara Harris does a great job as the senator's wife. The role of the reluctant teen-ager is not fully developed, and her absence at the great nomination event of the Democratic party is not explained. When you contrast this movie with the carefully orchestrated phoniness of the Republican National Convention, you see easily how our 'free and open' society has degenerated. There were no riot cops with batons and stun guns suppressing the dissidents at this convention. Alda is still too much of a nice guy in this movie, although he does sexual lust really well, ripping off Streep's clothes. Streep does a nice job, showing her frustration and sadness at her neglectful treatment by her own financially successful husband. The work of the senate aide is also demonstrated as clearly including the handing out of hotel room keys with no questions asked. Reminding me of Dukakis' wife Kitty and Ford's wife, Betty, you see what the strain of being a Congressman's wife can be. Great points were made about the explicit price paid for having seen a therapist, having shock therapy or the like. This movie isn't as good as 'The Best Man', Gore Vidal's wonderfully written movie, but who can write that well in this day and time. See the movie for it's strangely prophetic scenes. And then see Alan Alda, as the CORRUPT senator opposite Howard Hughes in 'the Aviator' just in time for the Oscars. Great contrast.
Accurate
I was a senatorial intern in the 70's. (Fortunately never seduced.) But this film accurately depicted the City of the Time. Watch for the two or three second bit that depicts the "auto-pen." When I was an intern, I was interviewed by my small-hometown-newspaper, and instructed by my supervisor that I could discuss anything, I could even disagree with the Senator, but I WAS NOT TO MENTION THE AUTO-PEN!!! The auto-pen was a device that manipulated an actual felt-tip pen to produce a signature replica to make it appear that the Senator had actually signed a letter.
My brief review of the film
Awfully familiar stuff about persons who take pride in the career over their family and power corrupting, the film is however quite well acted, which brings it above par of its type. Alan Alda and Meryl Streep are both excellent, and although Melvyn Douglas won an Oscar in the same year as this film for 'Being There', he deserves it more here. The acting bridges on being melodramatic from the rest of the cast, but it is hard not to call this a well acted film with those three great performances. There is also some insight into American politics, but the film does assume a bit more than just a basic understanding already, and therefore there is a chance that viewers not familiar with American politics will wind up confused. The music choices are rather poor, and there is one very silly sequence put to square dancing music. Overall though, this is a reasonable film. It does have its flaws, but it has excellent acting to compensate. It might not show anything new or explain everything well, but it is certainly adequate entertainment for its running time.
subtle, sensitive and worthwhile
a highly underestimated work definitely worth revisiting. it's a portrayal of sexual politics and power in washington d.c. that is still relevant today. it features a stunningly real and moving performance by the great barbara harris. bring her back!