Film Review:
‘Manchurian Candidate’: ‘Mediocre’
Shadow of the Classic Original

By: Eliot John Hagen (November 17, 2004)

The re-make of the magnificent 1960’s ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (starring Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Harvey, Janet Leigh, and Angela Lansbury), now available on DVD, is just below mediocre.  Those who saw the original and loved it will no doubt spend the entire time comparing it to the original.  Denzel Washington (“Out of Time,” “Man on Fire”) plays Major Marco, a soldier with Gulf-War-Syndrome.  He slowly starts to suspect something fishy, and, with the support of his girlfriend, starts to investigate.

Leiv Schriber (“Jacob the Liar”) plays the mournful Raymond Shaw; a man who has retired from the military profession and has moved into politics (the presidential race).  His mother, a ruthless politician, (a part played well by Meryl Streep) vehemently supports her son; although she may have some ulterior motives.

To sum it up in one word: ‘Ecch’ – Do yourself a favor and go pick up a copy of the original “Manchurian Candidate” at the Falls Church Public Library.  The acting is better by far, the title is actually relevant to the plot, and it is simply a great film.