Wooing the Deplorables

A Review of "Irresistible"

What the turmoil of the 2016 presidential election revealed more than anything is how jaded and corrupt the American "political process" is. From campaign antics (remember Donald Trump, accused of sexual harassment, on stage with all the women who had ever accused Bill Clinton?) and post-election disbelief and riots, to the media's consequent fascination with the idea that somehow Russia was responsible for Trump's victory, what became apparent is how little respect the political elite has for Middle America.

In Irresistible, writer and director Jon Stewart satirizes American elections, to good effect. The main character, Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell), is a Democrat political strategist whom we meet after...