In the ’60s, American society had the utmost confidence in its TV news. It was held to the highest of standards, reporting only the truth with no sidebar commentary or other funny business. By 1968, ABC was considered a laughing stock in the television news world, with jokes like, “The way to win the Vietnam War is to put it on ABC and it’ll be canceled in 3-4 weeks.”
With the large scale media event of the Democratic and Republican national conventions approaching, coupled with being dead last in the ratings, ABC had nothing to lose and took a chance by featuring two high-profile intellectuals of different political parties, to participate in a live debate with each other. What resulted created a new format for pundit television and news stations everywhere, a format we reproduce to this day.
Academy-Award winning director Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) and Robert Gordon (Very Extremely Dangerous) bring to the big screen the infamous and provocative debates between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr in the documentary Best of Enemies. Vidal, a Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, had also gained notoriety from his works as an author. Pushing the boundaries of societal “mainstream,” Vidal always liked to shock his audience. His most notable book, Myra Breckinridge, explored pansexuality and “free love,” a concept that was seen as taboo at the time.
While the older generations who have lived through these debates may enjoy this film slightly more than millennials, it is an entertaining watch nonetheless.
William F. Buckley Jr., on the other hand, was a cornerstone of the modern conservative movement. A stark difference from Myra, Buckley founded the editorial National Review, and counted Ronald Reagan as a supporter. Two completely different ideologies from individuals who truly despised each other, clearly there was no lack of drama from the very beginning of this relationship.
A majority of the film consists of found footage from the debates, but we also get an exclusive look into the private lives of both of these men. They speak with an eloquence that gives them away as members of the upper class, yet their cunning dialogue and petty insults make them relatable. Sharp banter is flung, all the while keeping fake smiles on their faces. These moments in the film are organically humorous, and provide a magnetic point of interest for the audience.
While older generations who have lived through these debates may enjoy this film slightly more than millennials, it is an entertaining watch nonetheless. Neville and Gordon have managed to make politics funny and interesting for the audience at large. Comparable to the notorious banter between film critics Ebert and Roper, Vidal and Buckley truly were “Best of Enemies.”
Best of Enemies opens at The Landmark this Friday.
