Weiner

IFC Films

When someone's reputation has devolved into being a walking punchline, it's very difficult to assuage the public they are trustworthy. That is the main focus of this documentary, which shows, in gritty detail, Anthony Weiner's failed 2013 bid for mayor of New York City. What really makes the film interesting is that it doesn't delve into a lot of the original scandal that found Weiner foisted from his senatorial position five years ago. While that is definitely a needed bit of background, the meat of the film relies on his need for the public to forgive, and hopefully forget. Weiner was once a respected and intelligible politician who moved for change, and it even looks like he could have come back from the scandal, until more details emerged.

As many of us know, that one unfortunate picture was not the end of the reign of scandal that follows Weiner, even today. During his campaign more pictures, previously unreleased, hit the media, and the pain and familiar breakage of two years prior resurfaced. In the center ring of this unfortunate circus is Weiner's poor wife, Huma Abedin. Huma is a stunning beauty with a radiant intellect, and is a woman with serious credentials at present helping Hilary Clinton run her presidential campaign. She is so poised and understanding during the campaign but quickly slides into defeat in front of the press, and the documentary filmmakers catch every subtle moment of her disdain and public embarrassment. Though Weiner seems strangely detached from the entire scandal, and is in serious denial about his chances in the race after it hits, it's Huma that truly engrosses the viewer.

 What this film really gets across is that second chances are so rare that you better use them wisely. Weiner thought he could circumvent his old actions and gain back goodwill. Instead of being accountable Weiner goes on the defensive, using the same vitriol that made him famous on the floor of Congress to yell at reporters and the public alike. He was already far down the rabbit hole and then he took a Bobcat and dug down thirty more feet.

 The film ends with a reluctantly positive vibe, showing Weiner in interviews, and on political programs, trying to adjust to the life that he is handed with as much grace as he can muster. In reality his life isn't on the upturn. His wife has separated from him, and just last week it was reported that he was sexting a fifteen year old, and will be criminally investigated. A story of redemption is always good, but that's really not what this film is about. This is a story of a man who can't help himself, even when the going is finally good. It began as a story of goodwill, and ended in another in a long line of films about how people never change.