| The Seduction of Joe Tynan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jerry Schatzberg |
| Written by | Alan Alda |
| Produced by | Martin Bregman |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Adam Holender |
| Edited by | Evan A. Lottman |
| Music by | Bill Conti |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million[1] |
| Box office | $19,595,168[2] |
The Seduction of Joe Tynan is a 1979 Americanpolitical drama film directed byJerry Schatzberg, and produced byMartin Bregman.[3] The screenplay was written byAlan Alda, who also played the title role.[4]
The film stars Alda,Barbara Harris, andMeryl Streep, withRip Torn,Melvyn Douglas,Charles Kimbrough, andCarrie Nye.[5] Streep said that she was on "automatic pilot" during filming because she went to work not long after the death of her lover,John Cazale, adding that she got through the process with Alda's support.
Joe Tynan is a liberal U.S. senator fromNew York with possible presidential ambitions. For the time being, he is weighing the nomination of a potential Supreme Court justice with the elderly Sen. Birney urging him strongly to support the nominee.
Tynan is married, with two children and his frequent work-related absence is an occupational hazard tolerated by wife Ellie, who is busy studying for a new career as a therapist. When he travels toLouisiana to investigate the nominated judge, he encounters labor lawyer Karen Traynor, who knows of evidence revealing the nominee to be unfit. As they spend time together, Tynan and Karen (who is also married) begin a romantic affair.
While back inWashington, D.C., engaging in a friendly rivalry with Southern senator Kittner and preparing for the party's upcoming national convention, Tynan begins to realize that Sen. Birney is suffering from a form of early dementia. Ellie, meanwhile, discovers Tynan's relationship with Karen, causing considerable friction at home. Tynan breaks off the affair and makes amends to his wife as he delivers a speech at the convention.
Janet Maslin ofThe New York Times wrote, "Alan Alda's Joe Tynan isn't altogether believable as a politician, but he's a warm, sensitive, intelligent character, around whom an uncommonly well-meaning movie has been fashioned."[4]Dale Pollock ofVariety wrote that the film "features a literate script, sensitive direction and a brace of fine performances by Alan Alda, Barbara Harris and Meryl Streep."[5]Gene Siskel of theChicago Tribune gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and wrote, "We all know that Alan Alda can act; the revelation in his new film,The Seduction of Joe Tynan, is how well he can write. His script, set in the world of politics, is a pleasure to listen to."[6]Sheila Benson of theLos Angeles Times stated, "The Seduction of Joe Tynan is at least a decent effort to look at the pressures at work on a rising young politician, both from within and without. Years from now, however, it may be best remembered as the first film to give Meryl Streep full rein for her luminous talents."[7]Judith Martin ofThe Washington Post wrote, "Barbara Harris' superb and rounded characterization is only one of many deliciously funny-sad and authentic touches in this amazingly unstereotyped political satire."[8]David Ansen ofNewsweek called the film an "intelligent, beautifully acted cautionary tale about the conflict between the siren call of success and the responsibilities of a private life."[9]
OnRotten Tomatoes the film has a 75% rating based on 12 reviews.[10]
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