SoftInloveRox Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Wyatt There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

jjnxn-1 In many ways Wallace was a reprehensible man so a three hour film of his rather infamous life should be a struggle to get through, that its not is almost wholly because it has such a high quality cast. Clarence Williams III offers quiet support in the difficult role of Wallace's long time servant and the many familiar faces that are in support all are fine in their various roles. The real spotlight is on the three main characters and its here that the film really delivers.Mare Winningham is both strong and soft as Lurleen Wallace standing by her man who is devoted to her. Their relationship does much to humanize Wallace. Angelina Jolie, during the very brief period of her career spent in TV, is equally strong as Cornelia Wallace showing that she was more than the trophy wife she was sometimes painted. Even with all this excellent work the film would be nothing without a knockout lead actor and Gary Sinise is that. He is totally committed to the character whether showing his bigotry or his humanity, a splendid piece of work. Frankenheimer's direction is sure handed keeping the interest level high as he moves through a most complicated man's life.

dtucker86 The late John Frankenheimer was one of our truly great directors. He cut his teeth in the early days of television, directing over 100 tv shows and then he went on the direct Birdman Of Alcatraz, Seven Days In May, The Train and his masterpiece The Manchurian Candidate. He had a long dry spell after that where Hollywood more or less forgot about him, but in the early 90s he was able to make an amazing comeback with a series of tv films like Against The Wall, The Burning Season, Andersonville and this film. This is a man who directed actors like Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan and Edmond O'Brien, and yet he said Gary Sinise was one of the finest actors he ever worked with. Sinise is probably best remembered for his role as Lieutenant Dan in the Forrest Gump movie (one of the most depressing films that I ever saw I HATED IT!!!). He did a wonderful job as Harry Truman and he equally rises to the occasion as George Wallace. George Wallace was one of the truly controversial figures of our time. In 1958, he ran for Alabma's governor as someone who favored cival rights and lost. According to friends he vowed that he would never be "out niggered" again (excuse my language I'm just quoting what he said) and he won. He voweed in his inagural address "segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever!" If ever a man symbolized the horrors of racism in the 1960's it was certainly George Wallace. Sinise brilliantly portrays Wallace's ruthless ambition and drive for power, but then there is the 1972 assassination attempt that left him paralyzed. There is a sad scene in the film where a doctor tells him that he will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, that he will be impotent and not even able to control bladder or bowel and that he will never have another day without pain. It's maybe because of this that Wallace sought not power but forgiveness in the last years of his life. He apologized to those he had hurt like the Freedom Riders. Sinise is wonderful in his role as is Angelina Jolie as his wife Cornelia. Forget her tatooes and her eccentricities, she is a fine actress who always delivers. Joe Don Baker also gives as Jim Folsom, Wallace's protege. Actually, it was only thru luck that Wallace became governor in 1962. Jim Folsom was a very popular Alabama politican who had been elected Governor twice before (1947-51,1955,59). In 1962, he ran against Wallace and had a good chance at a third term until he appeared drunk on a tv show on the eve of the election. Folsom forgot the names of his children and gave an extended imitation of a cuckoo clock. The performance cost him the election and ended his career as an important politician in Alabama.

Robert D. Ruplenas I had to order this movie online to see it, as it has disappeared from local video stores up here in the "progressive" Northeast. Since it was made only in 1997 and much older films are still readily accessible one wonders if perhaps the reason for its scarcity up here is its presentation of Wallace as something other than the standard, portrait of an ignorant, cardboard cutout racist, a conception which make the liberal New England chest swell with self-satisfied, holier-than-thou virtue. I remember seeing, years ago, video coverage on the evening news of Wallace's farewell speech as governor to the Alabama state house employees. As the cameras panned over the crowd - vastly minority - tears were streaming down as many black faces as white. I knew then that there was an untold story here. This, one of the brilliant John Frankenheimer's last productions, tells that story. The acting, pacing, dramatic line and production values are all first rate.One would have wished for a bit more time given to the apoplexy which Wallace's presidential drives in the 60's gave to the powers-that-be in both parties. We forget that Wallace's successes in the northeast as a candidate who articulated the disenfranchisement felt by the middle class, was a huge factor in the movement of the country away from LBJ liberalism and towards conservatism, culminating in the elections of Richard Nixon (himself no conservative, though he ran as one) and ultimately Ronald Reagan. An iconoclastic film which deserves all the awards it received. Just don't try to find in the video stores north of the Mason/Dixon line.

bluetwin She steals every scene she is in and oozes sensuality all over the screen. Mark my words - she will be a major star and actress of the next decade. He also gives a powerhouse performance of a controversial historical figure. John Frankenheimer directs the movie with a knowing and sure hand. Fascinating and informative movie of a pivotal moment in America's history and the relation of the races.