The Candidate

Robert Redford stars as Bill McKay, a charismatic candidate for the U.S. Senate from California, in a story about the trip from activist to politician. McKay, the idealistic and handsome son of a former governor, is recruited by a political consultant, Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle), to run against a three-term Republican senator. McKay campaigns across the state, his message growing more generic, but ultimately wins the election in a virtual tie with his opponent.