Dean
Genre: Biography/Political
Director: George Clooney
Writer: Alex Conn
Cast: George Clooney, Jessica Chastain, Jeremy Strong, Carey Mulligan, Dane DeHaan, Brian D'Arcy James, Cheryl Hines
Plot: The film opens with Howard Dean (George Clooney) standing before a small crowd in a modest New Hampshire high school gym. The room is humble, barely filled, but Dean’s voice reverberates with conviction. He speaks of his opposition to the Iraq War and the mothers he has met who have lost their children to these wars and the need to bring power back to the people. He also discusses the families who can’t afford health insurance. In this country under a Dean administration we will do some nation building right here at home. In order to defeat Bush we can’t agree with him. We can’t run Republican lite. We need to say the Iraq war is wrong, The Patriot Act is wrong and the people want that to end. As he speaks, we see quick, tense shots of Kate O’Donnell (Jessica Chastain), his campaign manager, noting each reaction in the room. Behind her is Joe Trippi (Jeremy Strong), Dean’s digital guru, quietly observing with a wry smile.
In a darkened office, Terry McAuliffe (Brian D'Arcy James), the powerful head of the Democratic National Committee, watches a replay of Dean’s speech. “Is this guy fucking serious?” he mutters, rolling his eyes, but there’s a flicker of doubt. He knows Dean is catching on with voters in a way that other Democratic hopefuls haven’t.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit coffee shop in Washington D.C., Matt Eichen (Dane DeHaan), a young activist, watches the same speech on his laptop, eyes alight. Dean’s words resonate, inspiring Matt to volunteer for the campaign. He believes in the promise of a real revolution, where technology will bring power back to the grassroots.
Lisa Webb (Carey Mulligan), a journalist for the New Yorker covering the campaign, observes the unconventional nature of Dean’s strategy. She’s fascinated by his direct approach and his team’s relentless use of the internet, then an innovative strategy. Her editor demands scoops, hoping for either a victory story or a scandal. “With this guy, you’ll get one or the other,” he quips.
The campaign explodes into a full-blown movement as Dean’s rallies grow. The audience doubles, then triples, filling gymnasiums and small-town centers across Iowa and New Hampshire. Dean’s “un-presidential” style attracts the anger of political elites but the love of the people.
Trippi masterminds a strategy of digital engagement, using emails, blogs, and online donations to raise millions. For the first time, grassroots activists feel empowered, and Dean’s message of taking back America gains traction. Matt works tirelessly, inspired by Dean, as he sees donations flood in. Dean’s authenticity strikes a deep chord with people disillusioned by traditional politics. Including a mother who is at a rally who is crying. Howard Dean stops his rally to comfort the woman (Cheryl Hines). The woman tells the story of her son who died in Iraq. He graduated high school and ever since he was a sophomore in high school wanted to defeat the people who did 9/11. He died in the Iraq war. Howard cries and asks what was your son’s name. The woman says Ian Clark. She has his picture which Howard bends down to see. She said she trusted Bush but after her son’s death she had to find answers. She learned that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and that the Bin Ladens, the family of the terrorist, was let out of this country on a private jet while the rest of us couldn’t fly and even worse were not questioned by Congress or The FBI. That is why Howard Dean gives me hope. Howard is clearly emotional after the story of that woman. Howard asks the woman her name and she says Jenny. Howard says Jenny’s story is sadly not uncommon. Family after family trusted Bush to be the commander in chief sent their kids off to war not knowing Bush’s Saudi Arabian connection, the fact that Iraq has nothing to do with 9/11 and they become disillusioned with our politics when their sons come back dead and both sides in Congress voted for the war.
Back in Washington, McAuliffe remains skeptical. He calls Kate in for a meeting, trying to coax her away from Dean. He warns her that the DNC won’t fully back Dean’s candidacy unless he reins in his rebellious rhetoric. Bush wins without DNC support. Face it the war is popular. People are scared of terrorists. 9/11 is fresh in people’s minds. Kate refuses, her idealism shining through, but McAuliffe’s warning lingers.
Meanwhile, Lisa Webb’s profile on Dean catches national attention. She’s intrigued by the contrast between Dean’s fiery rallies and his contemplative moments behind the scenes. In one revealing scene, she interviews Dean alone, getting a glimpse of his introspective side. Dean confides that he knows the campaign is a gamble but believes it’s worth it. It’s worth it for the families of the soldiers who died in Bush’s wars, it’s worth it for the families who can’t afford healthcare, it’s worth it for the working class. I don’t do these things to raise my profile. I do them because I care and I want a Democratic Party that is strong against the horrendous policies of this president. Webb senses the stakes in his voice.
As Dean’s poll numbers surge, the pressure builds. His small, underdog campaign finds itself overwhelmed by media scrutiny. Every word, every offhand comment, becomes fodder for analysis and criticism. Dean’s intensity begins to wear on him, and he confides in Kate, admitting he’s unsure if he’s prepared for the toll it’s taking on him personally.
Trippi sees the writing on the wall, realizing that if Dean’s momentum falters, it could all fall apart. He’s frustrated by Dean’s reluctance to play politics and starts clashing with him over the campaign’s direction. Dean insists on staying true to his beliefs, while Trippi warns him that without compromise, he’s at risk of alienating the broader Democratic base and Democratic donors. Dean replies by saying the Democratic donor class is what’s going to lose the Democrats to Bush. This is in a walk and talk. Dean says this is a new kind of politics and this is the necessary kind of politics to win. Trippi argues but in order to get the resources to defeat Bush you have to win support of Republicans and you have to win support of donors so you can run ads and get the message across.
Dean says Republicans will get the message. If their kids are sent to war. If they can’t afford their medicine. Trippi says not another fucking speech. Trippi says is this campaign a protest campaign like fucking Ralph Nader. I didn’t sign up to be on a losing campaign. I came here to win.
Dean says you win on your principles. Trippi says what’s your evidence of that. Dean says trust me. I look at the faces of the mothers and the girlfriends of our brave young men who are coming home in flag draped coffins. I’m angered that those young men that signed up after 9/11 to defend their country against a threat are sent to a country that didn’t attack us and kill innocent Iraqi civilians or get killed themselves. Dean says this is morally wrong and the American people are starting to wake up.
Dean repeats the message at many rallies and brings up Bush’s oil connection and he says if I’m lucky enough to be the Democratic nominee will bring up Bush’s wars.
Tensions rise further when McAuliffe orchestrates a debate, stacking it with questions designed to make Dean look radical. Dean’s performance is fiery and anti war but divisive, and in private, he berates himself, worrying he played directly into McAuliffe’s hands.
The stress takes a toll on Matt, the young activist, as he sees the media distort Dean’s words and intentions. When his parents question his commitment to a losing cause, he lashes out, declaring, “This is bigger than just one man. This is our future.”
The climax arrives in Iowa, where Dean’s grassroots army gathers for a rally. Dean’s fiery speech energizes the crowd. He berates politicians who send our kids to wars that they wouldn’t have their own children fight in and we see a montage of scenes showing supporters around the country hanging onto his every word. But behind the scenes, all is not well. Trippi receives news that Dean’s polling numbers have dropped. The media smells blood, and cameras are trained on him.
Dean begins speaking to the crowd, his voice straining with exhaustion and emotion. He shouts his plan to march through every state. The infamous “I Have a Scream” moment ensues, where Dean, overwhelmed with adrenaline, lets out his iconic “YEEAARRGH!” rallying cry. The crowd cheers wildly, but within minutes, it’s twisted into a moment of ridicule by the national press.
Back in Washington, McAuliffe watches the clip with a smug smile. He knows this is the moment that might break Dean’s momentum.
Lisa Webb is devastated by the media reaction. She recognizes the moment’s rawness, but she knows how ruthless the political world can be. She’s torn between her journalist role and her admiration for Dean. The film cuts to Matt, watching in horror as the moment plays on loop across TV stations, mocking the candidate he so fervently believes in. There are comedy shows mocking it.
The morning after, the campaign is in disarray. Dean’s speech becomes a laughingstock, endlessly replayed, analyzed, and mocked. Supporters feel betrayed, while the media eviscerates him. In private, Dean is heartbroken, questioning whether his campaign was a mistake. He looks into the mirror, exhausted, wondering if he let everyone down. Kate tries to console him, but even she struggles with the reality of how the campaign has changed.
Trippi, frustrated, tells Dean he should’ve listened, that he should have “played the game” just enough to win. Gotten some endorsements from some Senators. Dean responds with defiance, insisting that compromising would mean betraying everything he stands for. Trippi’s parting words are bitter: “You stood on principle. Now we’re left with shit.”
Kate decides to confront McAuliffe, blaming him for fostering a system that punishes anyone who dares to be authentic. McAuliffe merely shrugs, insisting that politics is a game of survival, not ideals. McAullife says in 1972 the Democrats ran someone with ideals and we got fucking creamed. Kate leaves, feeling defeated yet still proud of what they’ve achieved, even if the campaign itself falters.
We see Matt, disillusioned but still determined, leaving the campaign headquarters for the last time. Dean delivers a final speech to his loyal supporters, thanking them and emphasizing that, despite the media spectacle, they have forever altered the political landscape. He looks into the crowd drinking some water.
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