Directed by:
ROBERT ALTMAN
Written by:
GARRY TRUDEAU

Cast:
Jack Tanner ... Michael Murphy
T.J. Cavanaugh ... Pamela Reed
Alex Tanner ... Cynthia Nixon
Hayes Taggerty ... Kevin J. O'Connor
Stringer Kincaid ... Daniel Jenkins
Emile Berkoff ... Jim Fyfe
Deke Connors ... Matt Malloy
Andrea Spinelli ... Ilana Levine
David Seidelman ... Richard Cox
Molly Hark ... Veronica Cartwright
Stevie Chevalier ... Sandra Bowie
Barney Kittman ... Greg Procaccino
Joanna Buckley ... Wendy Crewson
Billy Ridenhour ... Harry Anderson
General John Tanner ... E.G. Marshall
Frank Gatling ... Frank Barhydt


In 1998, Garry Trudeau and Robert Altman came together in order to make what would become a ground-breaking piece of political satire. It can be regarded in segments, as the 11/12-part television series ('The Dark Horse' is a two part episode that has been shown in complete one-hour or fragmented two half-hour formats), but also in its entirety as one of the original 'mockumentary' genre of film-making. Tanner '88 covers the journey of Jack Tanner, fictional Democratic presidential candidate in the 1988 election, on the real-life campaign trail. This bold mixture of fact and fiction comprised each episode of the series as scripted moments would often take a back-seat to improvisation and totally unscripted dialogue with real political figures during the election race. A handful were invited to appear under the premise and improvised discussions with Tanner (Murphy) as if he were a genuine candidate but also several political figures, whose whereabouts were known to Altman, were 'bumped into' and the improvised banter between then was as such as between candidates and journalists. One such incident, as reflected upon by Altman and Trudeau (in an accompanying interview with the 'criterion collection'), is that of Pat Robertson. Robertson met John and Alex Tanner (Nixon) in the realistic setting of the mockumentary, and Robertson was even questioned by the fictional journalist Hayes (O'Connor).

Tanner rarely breaks the fourth wall with the audience of Tanner '88 but frequently does so with the media presence as it is in his 'reality'. Accordingly it is taken as implied that this documentary is being composed without his direct influence and often it unfolds as more of a 'soap opera' type drama with elements of TV news than a documentary - this only adds to the satire. The ensemble cast all work to perfection with Nixon and Reed providing particularly noteworthy roles as Tanner's daughter and campaign manager respectively. The core of the satire, however, is achieved in its critique of the dawn of the media-age in American politics with the campaigns being influenced so crucially by the presentation of the candidates in the media. The fictional journalists each present their own spin on the media intrusion; Hayes portrays the more psycho-analytic, individualistic, journalist who wants to understand the candidates, Seidelman (Cox) is the sly but charming 'muck-raker' contrasting the most with Hayes both obviously and on more subtle levels. In spite of this what is at the centre of Tanner '88 is a compelling story about a character with whom the audience can feel an empathy because for all the narrative, the reality of the story is that his campaign is doomed to fail - not simply because he is fictional.

Once More In '04 sees a juxtaposition of the aged 80s footage, from the original Tanner '88, with new polished faux-interviews with members of the cast in character. Each episode features a small 'aside' from either Murphy, Nixon or Reed's character - as perceived 16 years later. Jack Tanner is now a college professor who looks back on these years with a contempt that seems to fuel his teaching, Alex Tanner is a documentary film-maker who yearns for her idealistic twenty-something years following her father on the campaign trail and, of course, T.J. Cavanaugh who presents a mixture of ideals - both reminiscent of her time with Tanner but also glad they are behind her. Each insert, and indeed the introduction to the first episode, unfold with a new and particularly good spin on the 1980s satire (as it is relevant 'today' ie. the 2004 presidential election) but also gives some biographical context to the main characters. The success of the original following these new interviews also spurned on a new creation "Tanner on Tanner" (2004) which received mixed reviews but presents another satirical stab at politics and the media.

All in all, something definitely worth checking out if you have any interest in American politics and its lampooning and satirising well before things like "The Daily Show" or "The Colbert Report". It is an understatement to say that Tanner '88 was before its time and it is something to be respected for that. Definitely a winner.