Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie

Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie is a documentary film directed by Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, and Jeremy Newberger. The film delves into the life and career of Morton Downey Jr., a controversial television talk show host from the 1980s.

The movie begins by introducing Morton Downey Jr., a former lounge singer who reinvented himself as a firebrand right-wing entertainer. As the film progresses, we see how Downey Jr. became a cultural icon in the 1980s by tapping into the rage and frustration of working-class Americans.

The film chronicles Downey Jr.'s meteoric rise to fame, as he became the host of The Morton Downey Jr. Show, a precursor to modern-day political talk shows. The show was known for its confrontational style, where Downey Jr. would berate and insult his guests. The filmmakers use archival footage to show the high-energy performances that Downey Jr. put on for his live studio audience.

The documentary delves into the controversy that surrounded The Morton Downey Jr. Show. Downey Jr. was accused of exploiting racial tensions to boost his ratings, and the film shows how he stoked these tensions by staging fake confrontations between guests. He also famously blew cigarette smoke in the faces of his guests, a behaviour that was meant to symbolize his disdain for political correctness.

Throughout the film, we see how Downey Jr. became a cultural phenomenon. He was seen as a champion of the working class, expressing their frustrations about topics such as immigration, crime, and government overreach. However, as the film progresses, we see how Downey Jr.'s abrasive personality began to alienate some of his fans. The filmmakers use interviews with former fans and guests of the show to show how polarizing Downey Jr.'s brand of political commentary became.

The documentary also explores Downey Jr.'s personal life. We see how his fame and wealth led to substance abuse problems, and how his behavior became increasingly erratic over time. The filmmakers use interviews with Downey Jr.'s family members and former colleagues to show how his life spiralled out of control as his career went into decline.

The film also looks at how Downey Jr.'s influence can still be seen in modern-day political commentary. The filmmakers use interviews with political pundits and commentators, such as Glenn Beck and Victoria Jackson, to show how Downey Jr.'s confrontational style of debate has become more common in the current political climate.

Overall, Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie is a fascinating exploration of a cultural icon. The film does an excellent job of showing how Downey Jr.'s brand of political commentary tapped into the frustrations of working-class Americans, while also exposing the darker side of his personality. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of American political media.