Waking the Dead (2000)

Politics in America is, in large part, one more form of televised entertainment. As such, making movies about politics seemed like a natural progression. After The Candidate (1972), All the President’s Men (1976), Malcolm X (1992), The American President (1995), Primary Colors (1998), Wag the Dog (1997) and Dick (1999), came the R rated thriller Waking the Dead (2000). Not to be confused with the long-running British crime series Waking the Dead (2000-2011), this pic is based on Scott Spencer’s same-named novel of 1986. It follows Fielding Pierce (Billy Crudup), a budding politician whose motives for seeking elected office appear to be suitably idealistic and liberal. The woman in his life is Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), a brash iconoclast whose nasty mouth knows no censorship. They say politics makes strange bedfellows, but how is Fielding ever going to win an election with a controversialist like Sarah at his side? Before you can venture a guess, let us tell you that she conveniently dies. And life goes on. Except that eight years later, the dead sexy brunette seems to be alive and kicking. Yet with legs like Jen’s, who’s complaining? The mystery movie includes Janet McTeer, Molly Parker, Sandra Oh, and Ms. Connelly’s nude boobs! Yes, during a brief bedroom scene, you can quickly see her massive rack. Thanks to DVD extras, an extended version of the same scene reveals Jen’s bare breasts in various positions as she and Crudup feign sex. Needless to say, the extended clip puts the X into extras!