The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979)

Director:

Jerry Schatzberg

Writer:

Alan Alda (written by)

Release Date:

17 August 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

There are many ways to be seduced. Fame. Power. Love. Joe Tynan knows them all.

Plot:

Respected liberal Senator Joe Tynan is asked to to lead the opposition to a Supreme Court appointment...

Plot Keywords:

Senator | Supreme Court | Career | Lawyer | Political

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

Alan Alda	...	Joe Tynan
Barbara Harris	...	Ellie Tynan
Meryl Streep	...	Karen Traynor
Rip Torn	...	Senator Kittner
Melvyn Douglas	...	Senator Birney
Charles Kimbrough	...	Francis
Carrie Nye	...	Aldena Kittner
Michael Higgins	...	Senator Pardew
Blanche Baker	...	Janet
Chris Arnold	...	Jerry
Maureen Anderman	...	Joe's Secretary
John Badila	...	Reporter on TV Screen
Robert Christian	...	Arthur Briggs
Maurice Copeland	...	Edward Anderson
Lu Elrod	...	Congresswoman at Party

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Spain:13 | USA:R | Canada:18A

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: 'The Contender': The Making of a Political Thriller (#7.17)" (2000)

Engrossing political/romantic drama with fine performances by its stars.

Joe Tynan (Alan Alda) is a middle-aged senator campaigning for a seat in the senate. Karen Traynor (Meryl Streep in an early, subtle performance) is an attractive blonde political researcher from Louisiana helping Tynan fight against a Southern senator who is in favor of segregation. During this time, Joe and Karen succumb to mounting pressures and have an explosive, sexually-charged (but transitory) affair. This, in addition to a turbulent home life with his neurotic wife Ellie (Barbara Harris, who is luminous) and troubled teenage daughter Janet (Blanche Baker), further complicates Joe's life in his quest of going up for office. An emotionally adult story, with elements of politics and humanity nicely woven together by writer-star Alda, but there are some questions left to be answered: What exactly is wrong with Janet, and why doesn't Joe take other measures (beyond asking questions) to try to relate to her? Why isn't this same attention paid to his equally distant son? The most noteworthy moments in the movie are the poignant scene when elderly Senator Birney (Melvyn Douglas, in one of his final roles) rambles on in French at the senate hearing, an allusion to oncoming senility, and the tense fight scene at home when Tynan is confronted by Ellie about his affair. An remarkably effective drama about the strength, perseverance and the backlashes of temptation. *** of ****