grantss A dramatization of George W Bush's winning of the 2000 US Election. In particular, an examination of the Florida recount, the recount that decided the election.Great docu-drama on a highly controversial moment in US history. A good examination of the events and machinations involved in the 2000 election, and the Florida recount in particular. No matter which side of politics you're on, it makes for very interesting viewing.

paisan1 All the conservative reviews are here on the last page, and Jesse Jackson is no where to be found to defend our rights? Sigh.I give this movie a positive review because it deserves it. It was a GREAT movie, in fact, until you quickly begin to notice the bias. So as a film the director did make an attempt to be even-handed and not REALLY make the Bush camp out to be villains. The acting was indeed superb but, again, the direction was fantastic - specifically the editing.Here's the major problem, previously mentioned: it is clearly, maybe not overtly, but clearly biased. Please read sychonic's and kingarthurups reviews above (well maybe ignore, kingarthurups forehead comments). Although a bit heated, they are very accurate to the tone and bias of the movie. For instance, they make the Republican demonstrators out to be lunatics. They dedicate 66% to 75% of the movie to the Gore camp - seriously, time it.But in particular look at the U.S. Supreme court proceedings. I have to criticize the director's decision to widdle this down to 3 minutes. The arguments here were key. But more importantly, as Spacey's character says, "this is it!" This should have been THE climax of the film. I was a first year law student when this event occurred and we were all focused on the appellate court hearing in front of the supreme court. Barry Richards, attorney for Bush, ... well it would only be a SLIGHT exaggeration to say that he SLAYED Gore's attorney. The points were valid and hard hitting. In this movie? Let's put it this way. The role was so small, Barry Richard's name isn't even listed in the credits. Compare to David Boies played by Ed Begley, jr. who got to look like a saint/martre with the final last implore to the decency of humanity. Shees! Again, I highly recommend watching the movie but the many "reviewers" above declaring that this film is fair are clearly delusional and frankly have no business writing a "fair and balanced" review.

Danny Blankenship Over the last year I have watched this film many times and I must say as always HBO does it again. Their original film work is top notch it's always relevant and the acting blended in with actual news shots of realism is super. "Recount" one of the best films ever made from their original collection replays and goes in depth in a very informative and interesting retelling of the 2000 presidential contest between Al Gore and George W. Bush. As it highlights the chaos and drama that occurred during the Florida recount all up until the Supreme Court decision.Starting election night when you see that it's to close to call with the call hanging in the balance down in the sunshine state. From the get go it's like you as the viewer are reliving the 2000 election all over again. You see the info revealed the ballot punch cards in Florida were in question so Ron Klain(played wonderfully by Kevin Spacey) advises Mr. Gore to challenge for a recount as the AP has reported a much closer race than the networks who have already declared a W. victory. Then legal challenge after legal challenge occurs as each acquire a legal team to fight the Florida election boards and state supreme courts.As your caught up with the intrigue and drama of the film from the behind the scenes strategy planning of legal and political tricks, you see clearly that Gore's team was not aggressive enough as Warren Christopher former secretary of state will not put up as much of a backyard dogfight brawl like the Republican side. As you see ex secretary of state and Bush family friend attorney James Baker(played to perfection by Tom Wilkinson) who's crafty and sly as a fox who will do anything to win. Even though the makers of this film like all Hollywood people tend to favor the Democrats and liberals still it was nice they portrayed Gore's team as weak and not as aggressive which was true. Then on the other hand I disagree with their other take which I know was just liberal mischief making a laugh at a wicked witch Republican Florida secretary of State Katherine Harris. Even though Harris was played to form by Laura Dern still this film portrays her as to stupid and to obsessed with the limelight of the media focus of attention and flashing lights. Even if you didn't like Katherine Harris and her ways of handling the recount still the film should have portrayed her more in an elegant and classy manner as for real Mrs. Harris is a beautiful and sexy woman for the political world.Just like the old days of 2000 all during this film it's back and fourth bickering, fussing, and legal challenge after challenge as one side tries to outwit, outsmart and trick the other during the sunshine state recount. As it goes all the way up to the U.S. supreme court. Once again HBO does it again with an original of a real live event that's done to perfection making us relive the most memorable and controversial U.S. presidential election in history. As everyone remembers late 2000 being focused to their TV's and all the time thinking of Florida and the recount. Plus from watching this film as many already know it highlights a lot of what is wrong with our U.S. political election system from punch ballot cards with chads, the popular vote, electoral college, racial profiling, polling firms, and most of all proving that when courts decide elections it's bad because it's just like people having their mouths duct taped of freedom of democracy and speech.

fwomp Surprisingly entertaining but ultimately not very topical anymore (the two sides have stayed pretty much unchanged since the 2000 Presidential election debacle in Florida), RECOUNT is engaging thanks to the powerful performances of some high-caliber actors.Kevin Spacey (SUPERMAN RETURNS) leads the way as attorney Ron Klain. Pulled into the legal quagmire of Al Gore's attempt to get a recount done in Florida after several irregularities popped up, Spacey is easy to watch and makes the viewer feel at home with the character/man.By his side is the foul-mouthed but implacable Michael Whooley (Dennis Leary, ICE AGE 2) who fights tooth-and-nail to try and get the recount started, too, but is hamstrung by idiots within the Democratic Party and a surprise ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (did you know that they basically elected George Bush?). Tom Wilkinson (THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE) hits the other side of the tables (i.e., the Republicans) as James Baker. Crafty and wise, Baker gets ahead of the game and wins for his side thanks to some unique legal maneuvers.I would be remiss, however, if I didn't give some serious kudos to Laura Dern who played the role of Katherine Harris, the former Secretary of State of Florida. Winning a surprising Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress in a made-for-TV film, Dern's Harris was absolutely flawless. Her self-absorbed persona mixed with her powerful position made me shiver, which was exactly what I should've been doing.The sad part is that with a few more dollars I think this film could've been upgraded from 'made-for-TV' and had a decent showing at cinemas. But we have what we have. It's an interesting run at a nine-year-old subject, and it still eats at me, but it didn't deliver anything I didn't already know ...and loathe.