So Goes the Nation (2006)
-
91% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(1,344 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… 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
- Directed By
- Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern
- Genres
- Documentary, Special Interest
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Oct 4, 2006 Limited
- Studio
- IFC
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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
