Art House Extra | ‘Irresistible’ Plays Politics in Rural America

“Irresistible” takes former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill’s deathless observation that “all politics is local” through the Hollywood dream factory.

Written and directed by political snark merchant Jon Stewart, “Irresistible” stars Steve Carrell as a struggling Democratic Party consultant who sees potential in a retired Marine Corps colonel played by Kansas City’s own Chris Cooper.

Carrell decides to recruit Cooper to run for mayor of a small town in Wisconsin to “road test a more rural-friendly message.” Republicans respond with their own political consultant played by Rose Byrne. Satiric observations ensue.

If you haven’t gotten your fill of politics yet this election year, this just might be the ticket this weekend.

“There are some plot twists that I didn’t see coming,” says local filmmaker Patrick Rea. “And as a writer and director I’m always looking for the same plot twists in every movie.”

For more, watch the attached video.