Robert Redford, proper, and Dustin Hoffman within the film “All The President’s Males.”
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Alan J. Pakula’s Watergate drama is remembered as one of many nice political thrillers, however for Redford it was a raffle of conviction and clout. He optioned the Woodward-Bernstein guide himself, pushing by means of doubts {that a} movie constructed on cellphone calls, door knocks and note-taking may grip audiences. As Bob Woodward he strips away glamour, taking part in a reporter who’s awkward, halting and dogged, but unshakable as soon as the path begins to unfold. Reverse Dustin Hoffman’s Carl Bernstein — fast-talking, improvisational, all the time pushing — Redford is methodical and contained, and collectively they embody the stress and rhythm of investigative reporting, turning the grind into suspense. With this function, Redford confirmed that persistence, not bravado, may carry a film, and {that a} star may commerce attraction for credibility with out dropping magnetism. It cemented his popularity not simply as a number one man however as a cultural drive who may will critical tales onto the display. — Josh Rottenberg