Man From Plains
September 15, 2007
Coming out of this film, I again wondered why so many Americans look down their noses at their 39th president. Jimmy Carter was well-regarded by the rest of the world, after all. He has always had the persona of a humble, gracious, honest humanitarian and I don’t think it’s just a facade. The seemingly indefatigable Nobel Peace Prize winner is in almost every frame of Jonathan Demme’s film. And he seems quite comfortable there; he has nothing to hide.
Demme trains his cameras on Carter as he travels coast to coast on a book tour, promoting his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. The book has stirred up some controversy because of its use of the word “apartheid” and because (it seems) most people have formed opinions about it before they’ve actually read it. (What else is new?) Interspersed with sequences from various promotional stops on his tour are personal reflections (e.g. Rosalynn Carter talking about what tipped the Peace Accord scales at Camp David) and vintage footage–some of which showed how eerily prescient Carter was as President (e.g. urging research into alternate fuels and less reliance upon foreign oil during the energy crisis of the 70s). He was a president ahead of his time, perhaps…
And there’s the rub. Or, rather, the subtext. On the surface, it is an affectionate portrait of the peace-crusading former president but, just below the surface, surely the viewer is expected to reflect upon the current sad state of affairs…
You know, I have thought about the current state of the presidency recently and how low our standards have fallen. Looking back, Jimmy Carter looks golden compared to either of the Bushes or the Clinton. I wonder sometimes if the state of international relations can overwhelm a persons presidency however. I think that we probably judge him based on how things were for the presidents around him. When we (Americans) think of Jimmy Carter we think of the international relations (east v west), gas lines, and the like. When we think of Regan, we don’t really remember recession but rather the arms build up and eventual demise (victory over?) communism. (However you choose to look at it.) Regan - hero, Carter - blunder? Who knows. I am so impressed with how he handled his term though and how he has conducted his projects and influences over the years and I think that Americans should take another look and see just how much he has accomplished for the country and world. Can’t say the same for the last 15 years…
Comment by ZombieKillah — September 18, 2007 @ 11:09 am
I am so going to shoot you in the head when we play Halo.
Comment by llamaboy — September 21, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
documentary investigation on the day when carter was chased by a rabbid rabbit, with big teeth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfFX2StkACY
Comment by llamaboy — October 27, 2007 @ 11:01 am