So Goes the Nation (2006)

91% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(1,305 ratings)

In the 2004 presidential election, Ohio became the state that decided who would lead the nation for the next four years; throughout the campaign, both George W. Bush and John Kerry realized it was a key "swing state" which could go to either candidate, and they devoted much of their time and… More In the 2004 presidential election, Ohio became the state that decided who would lead the nation for the next four years; throughout the campaign, both George W. Bush and John Kerry realized it was a key "swing state" which could go to either candidate, and they devoted much of their time and resources to bringing in the vote in the Buckeye state. The controversies of the 2000 election led many to suspect that voter fraud could be a possibility, and many were watchful for tampering of voting machines or registration rolls. Filmmakers James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo brought their cameras to Ohio for the final weeks of the election, and ...So Goes the Nation is a documentary which offers a detailed look at both Bush and Kerry's campaign staffs as they make the final push toward victory or defeat. While examining the possibilities of election tampering, ...So Goes the Nation primarily concerns itself with the differences between the campaign styles of the candidates and how their behind-the-scenes staffs struggles to swing voters to their man, with Kerry concentrating on domestic issues of economics, health, and security while Bush spoke of the war on terror and Kerry's alleged "flip flopping" and service record in Vietnam. ...So Goes the Nation received its World Premiere at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Adam Del Deo, Dick Cheney
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 4, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Feb 13, 2007
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times
This informative documentary offers a sound, if uninspiring lesson in civics.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Documentarians Adam Del Deo and James Stern present a cogent and comprehensive postmortem of the 2004 presidential election in Ohio.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
The film's triple thesis is that elections are run badly, Democrats are often clueless and Republicans are clever. Maybe -- but that still leaves too many unanswered questions.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Directors James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo make Ohio a confounding crucible of the American political machine and a microcosm of the country's cultural and socioeconomic fractures.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Supported by commentary from both Republican and Democratic operatives, the movie confirms what most of us have known all along: Electability is all about staying on message. The truth and verifiability of that message is something else again.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Filmmakers James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo captured fascinating glimpses of the action leading up to the election, as well as the Monday morning quarterbacking (from Republicans and Democrats) about what went wrong or right.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
A fair warning that the world is watching to see whether Karl Rove and company put their thumbs on the scales again.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
This shocking, though patently partisan, expose' makes a convincing case that wholesale irregularities came into play in the State of Ohio on Election Day 2004.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um olhar imparcial sobre as estratégias de democratas e republicanos durante a eleição presidencial de 2004, o filme buca analisar os erros e acertos que conduziram à reeleição de Bush, oferecendo respostas inteligentes e, muitas vezes, surpreendentes.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An unpretty picture of the 2004 Presidential election campaign animated by big money, power politics, negative campaign ads, and hatred.
Tim Grierson, L.A. Weekly
From its riveting opening to its gripping conclusion, . . . So Goes the Nation is arguably the most intelligent, kinetic analysis of the modern election process since The War Room.
Chris Barsanti, Film Journal International
A strikingly mature, but no less passionate, counterpoint to many of the season's angrier political documentaries.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel H

A well done documentary about the electoral process, specifically in Ohio. While it could be a little clearer about the overall campaigning system, there are far too many documentaries which cover that process. Instead, it takes a broader strategic view, uses the 2004 elections as a… More
A well done documentary about the electoral process, specifically in Ohio. While it could be a little clearer about the overall campaigning system, there are far too many documentaries which cover that process. Instead, it takes a broader strategic view, uses the 2004 elections as a case study, and puts many of the events in context. Clear, well done, and really does an excellent job at remaining neutral. Still, by being neutral, it doesn't get to have a feel-good "go do something" ending... which is needed to keep any political documentary from becoming a downer.