MOVIES: GAME CHANGE on HBO

Recently, at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, HBOFilms, in partnership with The Atlanta Press Club and XFINITY, hosted the Atlanta premiere of the movie GAME CHANGE. The screening was followed by a reception and discussion with writer and co-executive producer, Danny Strong.

GAME CHANGE, based on the best-selling book, stars Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin, Ed Harris as John McCain and Woody Harrelson as McCain's Senior Campaign Strategist, Steve Schmidt. The movie is a fascinating inside view of the 2008 McCain/Palin campaign. Much like the movie TITANIC -- spoiler alert! -- we all know the ending going in, but that does not detract from the gripping intensity of GAME CHANGE, as we follow the singular story of an unknown political maverick thrust into the national spotlight of a presidential campaign.

GAME CHANGE follows the campaign from the surprising choice of Sarah Palin as vice presidential running mate to immediate challenges of her candidacy; from super-size ego to stunning ignorance; through the nation's economic collapse in the last months of the campaign; to Palin's self-implosion, near-breakdown and remarkable resurgence as an enduring national political figure.

The movie allows a sympathetic, yet realistic, perspective of Sarah Palin, John McCain and the failed presidential campaign. Julianne Moore gives a brilliant performance, transforming completely into Sarah Palin -- the wardrobe, the hair, the accent and mannerisms. Ed Harris offers a memorable John McCain. Woody Harrelson anchors the movie, in one of his best performances, as the hard-edged, incredulous political operative trying to salvage the McCain campaign.

The triumph of GAME CHANGE is that it is not a political movie, not a dry documentary or any sort of campaign promotion. GAME CHANGE is a unique glimpse of the process of politics and campaigning in the United States in the Media Age, highlighting moments of humanity and absurdity -- a thoroughly enjoyable movie, whatever your political persuasion.

GAME CHANGE premieres on HBO EAST Saturday, March 10th at 9pm ET and ON DEMAND starting March 12, 2012. More info online: HBO: GAME CHANGE