The Seduction of Joe Tynan **** (1979, Alan Alda, Barbara Harris, Meryl Streep, Melvyn Douglas, Rip Torn) – Classic Movie Review 10,806

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

Director Jerry Schatzberg’s entertaining and involving 1979 political drama The Seduction of Joe Tynan about the slippery path to success in government is incisively written by its star Alan Alda. It is a fine film with a fine star cast.

Writer-star Alan Alda naturally has the juiciest part – since he wrote the film – and he certainly shines in it as an ambitious, respected liberal senator compromised on his way to the top when he is asked to lead the opposition to a Supreme Court appointment. But the supporting players – from veteran Melvyn Douglas as a cynical old senator to then rising newcomer Meryl Streep as an attorney – give a good account of themselves, too.

Barbara Harris as Alda’s wife and Rip Torn as another senator are at their best and complete the fine star cast.

It was Alda’s first produced screenplay for a cinema feature.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,806

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com