In 1966, General Motors, the most powerful corporation in the world, sent private investigators to dig up dirt on an obscure thirty-two year old public interest lawyer named Ralph Nader, who had written a book critical of ... more »one of their cars, the Corvair. The scandal that ensued after the smear campaign was revealed launched Ralph Nader into national prominence and established him as one of the most admired Americans and the leader of the modern Consumer Movement. Over the next thirty years and without ever holding public office, Nader built a legislative record that is the rival of any contemporary president. Many things we take for granted including seat belts, airbags, product labeling, no nukes, even the free ticket you get after being bumped from an overbooked flight are largely due to the efforts of Ralph Nader and his citizen groups. Yet today, when most people hear the name "Ralph Nader," they think of the man who gave the country George W. Bush. As a result, after sustaining his popularity and effectiveness over an unprecedented amount of time, he has become a pariah even among former friends and allies. How did this happen? Is he really to blame for George W. Bush? Who has stuck by him and who has abandoned him? Has our democracy become a consumer fraud? After being so right for so many years, how did he seem to go so wrong? With the help of exciting graphics, rare archival footage and over forty on-camera interviews conducted over the past two years, "An Unreasonable Man" traces the life and career of Ralph Nader, one of the most unique, important, and controversial political figures of the past half century.« less
""An Unreasonable Man" is not a pejorative description in the context of this film. One is reminded that the qualities that make an activist effective, are the same qualities of persistence and refusal to compromise that make such a person infuriating in other circumstances.
Although the first half of the documentary is devoted to Nader's rise as the country's premiere consumer advocate, the crux of the film is Nader's controversial presidential candidacy in 2000 and the personal, public and political ramifications of his decision to continue the race knowing that he may cost liberals a victory of the (arguably) more palatable candidate.
Unlike the reviewer below, I did not see in the film any agenda to trash Nader for running for president. When the movie moves its focus to Nader's effect on the 2000 election and whether he should have run under the circumstances, both sides of the argument get a fair airing. In fact, if anything, I felt the movie makers were inclined to the pro-Nader perspective--that for the politics of corruption to stop, a principled stand must be taken.
Regardless of the side of the debate one might take, the filmmakers did a an admirable job of showing through historical perspective why Nader ran, and why he was unapologetic about staying in the race. His personal history, from his experience with the Carter administration, the debate debacle, and his basic uncompromising personality and dogged pursuit of his goals, illuminate the motivations behind the 2000 Nader candidacy.
Although the filmmakers obviously hold Nader in high esteem, particularly for his crusades on behalf of consumers, this is a documentary in the true sense of the word--it is not a propaganda film, it it does not beat you over the head with the filmmakers' views. While, it is sympathetic to Nader's political positions and would not be considered "balanced" by a hardcore Republican, this is not a Michael Moore type of opus to any particular position. It is an expository film that raises but does not resolve the issue that alienated so many former Nader supporters."
Excellent
CoolerHeads | CA USA | 06/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having lived through the outrages of the Bush years, one wonders how history will judge these times. And this excellent documentary amounts to a meditation on this subject played out in terms of Nader's own legacy. The documentary starts as an homage to Nader's selfless public advocacy and then rolls up its sleeves and mucks through the question of "Ralph the spoiler." And even though we're often just seeing talking heads, there's something almost operatic about the drama. To see some of Ralph's original Rader's struggling with a deep sense of betrayal, to see the ire of his critics -- it's very compelling. The documentary tries to be even-handed, but ultimately amounts to an apologia. Nonetheless, one is left to make up one's own mind."
A Great Documentary
Strangeways | Chicago | 04/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an amazing film about an amazing man. Contrary to what the first reviewer below claims the film does an excellent job of presenting a case in favor of Nader. Both sides are given time and once the facts are out one can really only come to one conclusion. All Nader detractors are given air time and certainly don't hold back. The film does a great job of covering a man's entire life in 2 hours. I look forward to the extras on this disc."
Nader is Still a Raider!
Jurgen Vsych | California, USA | 11/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Magnificent documentary about the legendary consumer advocate. A must for your people, who won't know about Ralph Nader if all they've been exposed to is corporate-controlled news and corporate school textbooks. Great extras on Disc 2 explore America's crazy electoral process and how the most qualified candidate in US history - in fact, Nader was overqualified! - was scapegoated by the Democrats and labeled a "spoiler." Are the Democrat and Republican parties the true spoilers, happily handing over the public's interests over to corrupt corporations? Is it a surprise that they try to marginalize America's top corporate crime buster?"
A great portrait of a great American
V. Messner | PA, United States | 03/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had no idea how many great things Ralph Nader had done for society. Nader's battles against the large corporations which would (and already do) enslave us, were incredible. The man has done more good for the average person than any half dozen career politicians, and I admire him for it. As for the cowardly, whiny Democrats in this film whom crucify Nader, they sicken me. It isn't Ralph Nader's fault that 49% of American's wanted more of the Bush regime. It also isn't Ralph Nader's fault the Florida Supreme Court chose not to count the remaining votes. One day Americans will wake up and realize that both parties are two slightly varying heads from the same snake, and that our "democracy" is already controlled by the elite. The disturbingly fierce opposition to Nader's Presidential runs prove it. Mr. Nader: thanks for your service."