Gabriel Over The White House

This bizarre but wholly fascinating film shows the American presidency as a position of incredible power wielded by either a lunatic or an inspired genius, take your pick. That marvelous character actor Huston carries the whole load here on broad, capable shoulders. He is a newly elected president, a completely venal partisan politician with too quick a smile for his constituents and a sneer for the Constitution. A pleasure-seeking man of easy ways, Huston calls everyone by a nickname and insists upon being addressed as "Mayor," a position he once held, in mock humility. He is irresponsible, driving his car at breakneck speeds so he can outdistance his motorcycle e...