WEINER

Yes, America we are in the middle of electing a brand new President and with every election there is always some type of drama.  Either with the candidates themselves or someone relative to their world.  America, thanks to reality television has become addicted to controversy, ie Donald Trump.

But in 2013, our focus and fascination was with former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner.

Weiner was fearless and his passion as a politician were unmatched.   However, it was that same passion mixed with arrogance that would ultimately become his Achilles heel during his quest for Mayor of NYC that would unravel his political career, personal life and reputation.  His quest for Mayor began as a potential slam dunk, until his appetite for chasing women outside his marriage surfaced – AGAIN!

Let’s go back to the beginning just a tad.   Weiner was considered to be one of the most outspoken Congressmen on Capitol Hill.  He would call out anybody…anytime on ANY issue he felt passionate about.  Although his peers loathed his technique, they almost unequivocably respected his passion for the people who elected him.  He was liberal, savvy, quick and married to a beautiful, smart high-profile aide to now Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton – Hume Abedin.

All of this would turn upside down when Weiner took some now infamous selfies of his…well..”weiner” in some boxer shorts.  Just like that his political career on Capitol Hill came crashing to a halt.

Fast forward to 2013, one of Weiner’s former aides,  Josh Kriegman , along with Elyse Sternberg decided to follow Weiner’s return to politics in a documentary.  What none of them could know is that history would repeat itself and make everyone feel as though it were the “Groundhog Day” of political races.  Several young woman came forward claiming to have been intimate with the candidate, but it was only Sydney Leathers who went on a full fledge media tour to announce her involvement.  Leathers single-handedly murdered any chances of Weiner continuing in politics.

This doc opened to massive enthusiasm and curiosity at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and most recently a limited release in the United States.

Don’t be fooled.  This doc is not your usual fare of watching a politician go down in flames and the audience left feeling sorry for him like in the Netflix doc “Mitt”.  There are more humorous moments simply due to the fact that Anthony Weiner is a very colorful character who has landed on his feet in spite of himself and his choices.  You wind up respecting him and his devoted Hume Abedin, who  stood by her man with dignity and respect during times when it was nearly impossible to maintain both.

You also witness how some folks (Sydney Leathers) will do just about anything for the “15 minutes” of fame at any cost.  The chase through McDonald’s is epic…as is their nickname for Leathers “pineapple”.

I’m sure now you are mega curious. If so, take a trip to the nearest theatre and check it out.  You will be educated, entertained and most of enlightened on the persona and life of Anthony Weiner.