We all have a certain image of politicians. We would like to see them as people with strong moral values and although many will have them, politics remains a game in which negotiation is part of it and where compromises have to be made. Some politicians stand out though and when they do the media (and the public) will love it. We saw that a couple of years ago over here in the Netherlands with Pim Fortuin (who unfortunately was murdered) and recently with Trump. You can also see that in TV shows as we love characters that approach things differently. How else would you explain the popularity of House of Cards. When details of their private lives make the news they can destroy someone (just ask Anthony Weiner). Jim Traficant, who would end up in American Congress also had a colourful career which this documentary focusses on.
Traficant came from Youngstown, Ohio, a city that was known for its steelworks and which hit hard times when the factories had to close down. He managed to use that situation to his advantage though as he had a strong opinion and a lack of fear. It made him popular. He was elected as sheriff and refused to sign the document to get people out of their houses when there was a foreclosure. That behaviour would land him in jail. But he also started to fight against organised crime. When recordings were uncovered where he was talking to some mob bosses it seemed his career would be over. But Traficant didn’t give up and kept fighting when he had to go to trial. Director Eric Murphy uses archival footage and various interviews (including one with Ed O’Neill who lived in Youngstown) to make a fascinating documentary, which you can watch even if you know nothing about American politics. Traficant was someone who didn’t fit amongst normal politicians, but who refused to change. With his wide pants, strange hair and unpredictable behaviour he was a unique politician who managed to shake things up and that’s something which shines through in this film.
