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Recount (TV)

HBO Classics

6.5

810

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Original title

Recount

Year

2008

Running time

115 min.

Country

United States

Director

Jay Roach

Screenwriter

Danny Strong

Cast

Music

Dave Grusin

Cinematography

Jim Denault

Producer

HBO, Everyman Pictures, Mirage Entertainment, Spring Creek Productions, Trigger Street Productions

Genre

Drama | Politics. TV Movie

Synopsis

A chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent recounts in Florida. Recount brings viewers behind the scenes at the controversial Florida recount. This illuminating, hugely entertaining film pulls back the veil on the headlines to explore the human drama surrounding the most controversial presidential election in U.S. history.

Mixing news footage and verbatim dialogue into fictionalized re-creations, Recount examines the torturous process that culminated in the Supreme Court decision in Bush vs. Gore. The Republicans, led by charismatic Texan James Baker, seize the initiative as the case is tried in the judicial system and the court of public opinion. The Democrats play catch-up until Ron Klain, Gore's former chief of staff, takes over and starts matching Baker's political hardball with tough moves of his own. Mutual respect forms between the two as the fate of the presidency plays out among a colorful cast ranging from the impressive (appellate lawyer David Boies) to the maligned (Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris).

Recount recreates many of the movers and shakers in the Florida fight. Among the Democrats are Ron Klain (Spacey), soldiering on despite being demoted as Gore's Chief of Staff; Michael Whouley (Leary), Gore's Chief Field Operative; Warren Christopher (Hurt), the onetime Secretary of State whose passivity eventually yields to Klain's more forceful tactics; and David Boies (Begley), an appellate lawyer recruited to articulate the Democrats' message. Republicans include James Baker (Wilkinson), another former Secretary of State with a will to win to match Klain's; Ben Ginsberg (Balaban), the campaign's Lead Counsel; Katherine Harris (Dern), Florida's Secretary of State, remembered as much for her makeup as for her role in determining the winner; and Mac Stipanovich (McGill), a lobbyist with the moniker "Mac the Knife."

Awards: 2008: Emmy: 3 Awards, Including Best TV Movie. 11 Nominations

2008: Golden Globe: Supp. Actress in Miniseries/TV Movie (Laura Dern). 5 Nom.

2008: American Film Institute (AFI): Top 10 - TV Programs of the Year

2008: Nominated for Critics' Choice Awards: Best Picture Made for TV

2008: Directors Guild of America: Best Director (TV Movie or Miniseries)

2008: Producers Guild Awards (PGA): Nominated for Best TV Movie

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Recount (TV)

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