The movie "Gladiator" as a metaphor for this election?

[arbusto_baboso]

Okay, I may be reaching a bit with this one. Especially, since right now I seem to be seeing parallels of our current situation in a LOT of movies I watch (the latest being "Manchurian Candidate"). But I feel this comparison has some merit.

I just saw "Gladiator" for the first time last night, and was gobsmacked by some of the similarities to our current presidential race.

The upstart Emperor, Commodus (sp?) played by Joaquin Phoenix, is the one of the best Shrub analogs I've seen. He is ruthless, unprincipled, bloodthirsty, jealous of a true hero (Maximus), yet a huge coward, and a whiny little bitch because "daddy didn't love him".

On the other hand, both Maximus (Russell Crowe) and Gracchus (Derek Jacoby. Are you even ALLOWED to make a movie about ancient Rome without Derek Jacoby in it?) display many traits of John Kerry.

Maximus is the old warrior and respected leader. A true hero, who has sacrificed much of his life for Rome, a cause in which he believes. Yet, he wants to walk away from the wars and just go home. For this, Commodus despises him and determines to destroy him. Maximus is...... not so obliging.

Gracchus, on the other hand, is the elder stateman with the best interest of Rome in mind and heart, who wishes to turn away from Empire back to Republic. He also has the best line in the movie: "I've never pretened to be one of the common people. But I've always tried to be FOR the common people."

This strike a chord with anyone else? Or am I off my rocker?

[noahmijo]

1. The only thing missing from your analogy

Is that Kerry needs to start fighting more like Maximus The Gladiator, but i will say I think he's finally elevated to the title of "Spanaird"

[arbusto_baboso]

3. I just want to see "Spaniard" Kerry....

stick his metaphorical political knife into "Commodus" Bush's neck!

It would be a beauty to behold.:D

[David Zephyr]

2. Many Have Seen This the Same Way.

It is very eerie, isn't it.

The ending is promising.

[ibegurpard]

4. There are a number of parallels to be sure.

The one I find most prescient is the distraction of the public from the political corruption with the spectacles in the Colosseum.

[arbusto_baboso]

6. Yup. "Bread and Circuses". Except with Dubya, there's damn little

bread. We just get the bloody spectacle that involves our own kids.

[cheshire]

5. The podium and *'s stage at RNC was fashioned after the movie.

[Darby]

7. Strength and honor

[arbusto_baboso]

8. The new Kerry campaign slogan?!?!?! STRENGTH AND HONOR!

[noahmijo]

9. Here Here I love it let's use it