All your old and familiar faces in this one giving us great performances without effort thus the mark of professionalism at work. Good story and inside showings of what goes on in Washington at the upper levels. Of course the movie is dated with dress, landlines, cars and especially air travel but the dialog holds well. You will get a kick of how Senators were treated back then, what they discussed and of course all the game-playing too. Memorable scene of the homosexual world and all that comes with it about 60 years ago.

Washington, DC is swirling with intrigue after ailing second-term US President Franchot Tone appoints controversial, cool-headed Henry Fonda (as Robert "Leff" Leffingwell) to replace his dead Secretary of State. The buzz concerns Mr. Fonda's predisposition for peace, which is at odds with his adversaries' "shoot first, ask questions later" foreign policy. Watching Fonda teach his reluctant son Johnny (Eddie Hodges) to lie on the phone is an interesting bit of character development. Fonda's made a lot of political enemies. He believes the US should try to talk with the Communists (which proved to be the correct course, in the long run). Of course, people back then called you a "commie pinko" and worse for crazy ideas like negotiating with the enemy (some still do)... Fonda being revealed as some sort of Communist sympathizer could queer the deal...Allen Drury's popular political novel gets a fine treatment from director Otto Preminger and the crew at Columbia. The black and white wide-screen photography, by Sam Leavitt, is used exceptionally well by Mr. Preminger. The stark, sprawling Washington and its myriad of colorless characters effectively covey the film's thesis and show how dirt is processed in the US capitol. There are numerous players, all perfectly cast. From top-billed Henry Fonda down to background extras, everyone knows their place. The bigger names in the cast shed star-status and blend into their roles...Although there are more than five performances worthy of a "Best Supporting Actor" award, four handle most of the drama. Fonda is the subject. Presiding over the Senate committee on Fonda's confirmation is handsome young Don Murray (as Brigham "Brig" Anderson), a perfect "family values" senator from Utah. Fonda's main adversary is ageing Charles Laughton (in his last role, as Seabright "Seb" Cooley), a conservative rabble-rouser from South Carolina. Fonda's main supporter is loyal party-man Walter Pidgeon (as Robert "Bob" Munson), the majority leader from Michigan...On a "comeback" after some health problems, Gene Tierney (as Dolly Harrison) represents the era's female "movers and shakers." Her role is purely decorative (and sexually receptive). As Mr. Murray's clueless wife, Inga Swenson is the best supporting actress. Beloved today for the vulgar observations of an old lady, pretty young Betty White, pops up briefly as a token lady senator. The story's women are largely inconsequential. This is a man's world. Unusual for movies in 1962 (while not in real life), "Advise & Consent" includes a gay (male) subplot. However, the drama loses rather than gains points for the inclusion as Preminger depicts a "gay bar" in hilariously hellish fashion. Naturally, the film leaves its main gay character bloodied (acceptable, if not for the bigger picture) and the man's ex-lover face down, in filth... Politics is dirty business.******* Advise & Consent (1962-06-06) Otto Preminger ~ Don Murray, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Walter Pidgeon

This movie is a classic piece of Otto Preminger schlock. It entertains as pure fiction only and only in those places where it is not overwhelmed by its excessive overplayed melodrama. Real and thoughtful political history buffs and serious (I emphasize, SERIOUS) contemporary political junkies will find little realistic here to consider. If what you want is realism, on the other hand, on his current PBS television program veteran political reporter and former White House staffer Bill Moyers recently seemed to recommend THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN with Eddie Murphy in spite of its panning by the critics and public alike at the time of its release many years ago. ADVISE AND CONSENT is mostly a soap opera and just plain silly as commentary on the American political system, however much its makers peppered it with superficial likenesses to actual political figures of the time in again-typical Preminger form (just look what he did with IN HARM'S WAY (1965), as well).

"Advise and Consent" is a strong entry in the canon of Preminger movies. The whole first half is particularly captivating, focusing on the complex relationships between the leaders of the Senate and the President, who would like to get his progressive friend Robert Leffingwell confirmed by the Senate for Secretary of State. The major strength of the movie is the incredible line-up of acting superstars, none of whom is allowed to shine above the rest, yet all of whom give quite powerful performances.Walter Pidgeon is magesterial as the Majority Leader who knows everyone, and, as a good friend and supporter of the President, is responsible for bringing the votes together for the nominee. Lew Ayres is elegant and wonderfully dignified as the Vice-President who is mostly ignored by everyone with power, yet remains genial throughout. Henry Fonda plays his relatively small role with conviction, and Peter Lawford is very appealing as a Senator who, naturally enough for Lawford, is a womanizer, but with a kind heart and an independent streak.Spectacular and demanding is Charles Laughton as the Southern Senator whose role is to fight against everyone. Looking almost ghostly in his white suit, Laughton brilliantly defends old-fashioned American values against the forces of progressivism and Communism. Franchot Tone does a convincing job playing a political fighter of a President who also happens to be dieing; he really does look quite like he is dieing.But stealing the whole movie, I think, is the great Burgess Meredith. Initially brought in to the Committee Hearing to denounce Henry Fonda as a Communist, Meredith starts off cocky. But his brilliance as an actor comes out in the amazing second scene with Fonda, who tears down Meredith while lieing about Meredith's past. Meredith knows Fonda is lieing, yet a combination of weak character and mental illness prevents him from defending himself, and he ends the scene completely disheartened, demoralized, and destroyed. Watching Meredith's facade of strength collapse is priceless. This is easily the best scene in the movie.The second half, focusing on the slow mental breakdown of the Senator from Utah, played by Don Murray, is a bit of a letdown, and frankly slows the movie down a lot. But it all leads to an incredible dramatic finish in the Senate Chambers; the last 5 minutes are definitely worth waiting for. It is not quite as astonishing as the last moments of "Mr Smith Goes to Washington", but it is powerful none the less. And the final moments of reemerging friendship, respect and humility between Walter Pidgeon and Charles Laughton are delicious and pleasing, and will leave you feeling quite satisfied.