tension), and wouldn’t you know, there’ll be
some dirty tricks thrown into the mix, to the
horror of Diana, Jack’s daughter. She’s the
conscience of the film, especially when she asks:
“Is THIS politics?”
A last-minute shocker of a plot twist provides
a deft and satisfying ending — we don’t see it
coming. But as things close, we realize we never
once really learned, well, what people believe and
want in this town — besides simply loving it.
There IS one moment that feels particularly
current. Faith lies on live TV, preposterously,
leaving Gary sputtering with anger on the other
side of the split screen. But he also knows it was
a genius move. “She said it, and now it’s the
truth,” he mutters.
Faith has already walked away. But what if
these two had actually hashed it out, maybe
over a burger and a Bud, this whole “alternative
facts” thing? With Carell and Byrne, that would
have been an argument worth hearing. Maybe
even irresistible.
“Irresistible,” a Focus Features release, has been
rated R by the Motion Picture Association
of America “for language including sexual
references.” Running time: 101 minutes. Two
and a half stars out of four.
MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying
parent or legal guardian.