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of a man who wore many disguises during his political career.
First off, who would have picked Woody Harrelson, right? Well, Meathead did along with a lot of B-players you don't see so much. C Thomas Howell (trusted LBJ aide) and Richard Jenkins (Ga.'s Sen. Russell) stood out the most immediately to me. J. J. Leigh played an animated, caricature of Lady Byrd which fit into the narrative well. Reiner wasn't sure if this was a satire, comedy, or drama, so he gave us all three with Dallas worked into the story.
Reiner (Meathead lefty) showed LBJ's career rising and his reluctance to join the ticket as VP. Many were afraid he would lose all power that enjoyed in the Senate. He fearlessly charged ahead promising the Southerners he would be working for them from the inside.
One thing, Reiner made RFK an objectionable ass who literally hated LBJ. (This explains all the rumors of LBJ's involvement in plots and subterfuges.) This only changed after Lyndon publicly committed himself to brother John's intentions.
The script was clever with all of Lyndon's cursing, stories, and pearls of wisdom. And, Reiner kept this to LBJ's battles with Bobby and growing affinity to John. The cast was well polished but Jenkins, Harrellson, Leigh, and Donovan (JFK) really shined.
This is different, not a real biopic, not a historical account, but a broad look at the times and how they shaped LBJ into a civil right Snowflake.
Nothing but Boomers in the dark and that's all that will go.
Follow Ups:
My kid is right now: Dad, your times were just old fashion.
LBJ still flies under JFK's life, and that's too bad. His life and times, like him or not, were spectacular.
If anyone finds themselves crossing Texas, stop at the LBJ National Historic Park in Johnson City, in the hill country west of Austin. He and his family have a long history in that region. The info and pictorials displayed are very interesting. You'll learn more about this man with just a quick walk through the visitors center, which also has a great book selection of biographies and others on the topics of his times. There are also ranch tours. The Johnson spread is maintained as a working beef ranch.
They do not whitewash (sorry) this guy in the presentations. He did some sordid things and some great things. Johnson was an enigmatic mixed bag, and they present him that way. Well worth your time to see. And no, they do not implicate him in shooting JFK, but they also do not remove the mystery of it all.
...they are all fascinating in their own way.
The most fascinating one is there now turning our government upside down.
*
It's not history while the bullets are (or shit is) still flying.
Nt
No, I was waiting for the "wink" during his swearing in but Reiner ignored it.
(nt)
Nt
This went under my radar until you brought it to my attention. I read one of the Robert Caro books on LBJ and this sounds like my cup of tea.
Thank you for the post and have a great day - Jim
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