LBJ

US, 2016, 98 minutes, Colour.
Woody Harrelson, Michael Stahl-David?, Richard Jenkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Donovan, Bill Pullman, John Burke, C.Thomas Howell, Brent Bailey.
Directed by Rob Reiner.

Lyndon Baines Johnson came to the American presidency as the result of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. In recent years, there have been a number of films where he has been a significant character, especially in the films about John F. Kennedy including The Killing of Kennedy (2013) and Jackie (2016). There was a significant film biography, All The Way, (2017) with Bryan Cranston excellent as LBJ and with Melissa Leo as Lady Bird Johnson.

This film was directed by Rob Reiner, better known as a director of light comedies and dramas but also of such films as The Princess Bride and Misery. He was to go on to make Shock and Awe, set in 2003 with issues of American politics and wars in the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The film is well worth seeing for Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Lyndon Johnson. He is not immediately recognisable, made up to resemble Johnson but, when he laughs, clearly Woody Harrelson. Jennifer Jason Leigh has a good role as Lady Bird Johnson. Jeffrey Donovan is JFK and Michael Stahl-David? is a young, arrogant and abrasive Robert Kennedy. Bill Pullman is a progressive senator while Richard Jenkins is excellent, as usual, as the racist politician from the South, yearning for a way of life that is gradually disappearing.

At the centre of the film, with recurring images and development of this subplot, is the Kennedy visit to Dallas, the presence of Johnson and his wife, the motorcade, the shooting of the President, the reaction of the security guards in shielding Johnson, the death of the President and Walter Cronkite’s television announcement.

In a sense, Kennedy is also at the centre of the film. If the film is looked at in linear fashion, from the campaign for presidency in 1960 to 1968 with Johnson’s decision not to stand for re-election, Kennedy is most significant. He is the unlikely Catholic candidate for the Democratic party. He is presentable, charismatic, from a wealthy family. He is also shrewd in his political ideas as well as his deals (though the film does not treat of the Bay of Pigs nor the Missiles of October, 1962). But he is passionate about Civil Rights.

Which means that Johnson was somewhat in the shadows though he did accept nomination as Kennedy’s running mate. His belief was that he made every office that he accepted a powerful influence in politics. He is seen in discussions with progressive senators, advocating compromise and yielding to get results. He is also seen with conservative Southern senators, also proposing concessions and compromise.

In the film, Johnson seems genuinely shocked at becoming president, personally disturbed but trying to maintain government, especially with advice from Robert Kennedy who is continually hostile. He treats Jackie Kennedy well allowing her to stay in the White House. He takes the oath of office in Dallas and then returns to Washington.

There are a lot of footage of Civil Rights demonstrations and protests, along with some police brutality. Johnson had opposed Civil Rights’ legislation but decided to follow the Kennedy inspiration (though there is nothing of Martin Luther King in this film). He invites Kennedy speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, to write a speech for his inaugural address to the Congress. In this he continues the spirit of Kennedy, especially for Civil Rights, gaining a great deal of support from Democrats but the hostility of members from the South, especially Richard Russell who felt he was being betrayed.

The film ends with the stirring speech which Johnson delivered with some passion, deciding to go ahead with Kennedy’s vision.

There is further information about Johnson’s achievement in social issues, the questions of the involvement in Vietnam and his being less liked and deciding not to stand for the presidency in 1968 (with the consequent disasters of the Nixon era).

1. A portrait of Lyndon Johnson, as a person, politician, vice president, president?

2. 21st-century audiences and knowledge of Johnson? Admiration for him? Not admiring him? Critical of him?

3. The context the focus on JFK? The campaign of 1960, the place of Robert Kennedy, his dislike of Johnson, the issue of the nomination, people promoting Johnson, his consent? Not getting the numbers? Kennedy and his ideas, deals, issues of Civil Rights, the assassination and the consequences? Johnson continuing on his spirit?

4. Woody Harrelson and his portrait and impersonation of Lyndon Johnson? Jennifer Jason Leigh as Lady Bird? The years of marriage, his democratic affiliation, from Texas, Southern? The years in politics? The manager of business? His dealings with various Congress personalities and senators? Negotiations, giving a little and compromise, success, reliance on numbers? And his wanting to be liked?

5. Senator Yarborough, farm issues, following Kennedy rather than Johnson, Progressive? The interviews with Johnson? In Dallas, in the car with Johnson? Civil Rights, his pro-Rights, being seen in the house sitting with Johnson speaking?

6. The contrast with Richard Russell, from Georgia, 24 years in politics, loyalty to the South, his relishing the old way of life and not wanting change, his racist attitudes, believe in segregation, black servants? The discussions with Johnson, compromise or not? The Lockheed plant in Georgia, deals and contracts, employing African- American workers? His being derogatorily? The impact of Kennedy’s assassination? His hostility towards any legislation on Civil Rights? Losing faith in Johnson?

7. The various groups in Congress, house Representatives, Senators? The groupings, the numbers?

8. Kennedy spirit by 1963? His election, his programs, listening to advisers, the influence of Robert Kennedy? Sorensen and his speeches? Scenes with his family, the children? On television and Johnson remarking that he was swearing himself in? Policies and rights?

9. Robert Kennedy, younger, arrogant, hostile to Johnson, the various clashes, not wanting him to be vice president? The impact of the assassination, Johnson’s phone call, the issue of the swearing-in, where it took place, the local judge? Robert Kennedy and his criticisms of Johnson wanting to be in the Oval Office? Snide remarks? Finally listening to him and his speech?

10. Dallas, Johnson in the car with his wife, with Yarborough? The assassination, his reaction, security hurrying him away, the decision to go to Washington or not, the unknown nature of the attack, possible conspiracy? His concern about Jackie Kennedy, the taking of the oath, the return to Washington, going to the White House, allowing Jackie to stay? His request to all the assistants to stay, saying he needed them? Getting Sorensen to write his speech?

11. Civil Rights, the television newsreel visuals, demonstrations and protests, no Martin Luther King mention? Johnson and his cook, her serving while Russell was being derogatory? His speech about her travelling, segregation, not wanting her to suffer this deprivation of rights?

12. His speech in the house, the delivery, the Kennedy idealism, and continuing it?

13. Johnson’s achievement, the issues of Vietnam, social services, not standing in 1968? The listing of his achievements?

14. A 98 minute portrait of Johnson, not a documentary, relying on drama and its limitations, insight through a portrait?