Posted on 07/19/2005 3:45:07 PM PDT by CHARLITE
He's a movie star now.
Yes, Arizona senator and aspiring presidential candidate John McCain recently made his cinematic debut in this summer's bawdy romantic comedy "Wedding Crashers."
The cameo appearance may create a big-screen problem for McCain, though, and it doesn't have anything to do with his Clinton-defending cameo co-star James Carville. It has to do with the flick's thoroughly warranted R rating.
In the movie, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn portray divorce mediators who crash weddings and seduce bridal attendants.
There's a fast-moving montage in the film, done in the style of a music video, where Vaughn and Wilson's characters are featured in bed with a shifting procession of naked women.
The Los Angeles Times opined that this Hollywood excursion is "perhaps not the most predictable showcase for the film debut of a former presidential candidate who five years ago conducted Senate hearings in which he personally took Hollywood to task for the preponderance of R-rated films."
Regarding McCain's participation in the film, Wilson recently revealed on NBC's "Today" show that he had "cold-called" the senator's office and that McCain's staff was extremely cordial and told him they would have an answer for him within minutes.
In less than an hour Wilson received a call letting him know that McCain had agreed to the part.
Prior to the movie's release McCain was joking about the appearance, but now his staff appears to be engaged in some damage control.
Eileen McMenamin, McCain's communications director, claimed that when the senator accepted the role he understood the film would be rated PG-13.
"The senator has not seen the movie," said McMenamin. "He agreed to do the cameo role for a fee, which he donated to charity."
Although "Wedding Crashers" employs the same style as other sex-laden comedies like "American Pie" and "There's Something About Mary," it does have a couple of elements that help place it on a somewhat higher plane.
It eventually conveys the moral judgment that the coarse behavior in which Vaughn's and Wilson's characters engage is wrong. It even has the screen figures suffering for their transgressions.
And ultimately the movie celebrates the institution of marriage.
The Left Coast Report says it's yet to be seen whether McCain's decision to join the "Wedding Crashers" cast will prove advantageous to a future GOP presidential primary opponent. But, hey, if it is, he can always do "Wedding Crashers 2."
I can't muster up much more than a shrug of my shoulders over this one. It's John McCain after all.
Here's what's worse. I just saw the film. I don't remember seeing McCain, but I did see Carville. And BTW - I enjoyed the film.
Maybe this is the first step in his ultimate conversion to a media whore. There have been some politicians (good ones, to boot) who started as actors and moved into politics. McCain might be boosting his "maverick" credentials by doing the opposite - going from politics to media. He did addicted to the celebrity status during his "Straight Talk Express."
I would happily trade John McCain for Fred Thompson.
It's X-rated??
You say that like it hasn't already happened.
What's worse is that McCain is a gun grabbing POS.
I love the film. It weird because it really only had two or three screens that was super r rated and the use of curse words well spreading out and limted and not any other word.
This is ridiculous. I can't stand the guy, but for Pete's sake, folks....
ROFLMAO!
Touché!
I shall rephrase. "Maybe it is part of his ultimate conversion to a full-time media whore."
He should star in the McCain Mutiny remake.
I am struggling to understand why anyone cares? Hell I am not a John McCain fan but anyone who attempts to use this against him is an idjut.
I like this type of movie and I suspect a large majority of America does as well. And Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are two of the greatest comic actors of our time.
Keep on keeping on Johnny. You are doing Great!!
Your addition to the headline is just plain incorrect. The movie is rated R, not X.
X isn't even a rating any more.
Ohhhh! Dirka dirka dirka!
Team america was damned funny. Some of the language was, for me, over the edge. On whole, I loved the constant skewering of Hollywierd dumbarses.
It wasn't X-rated. There were a few scenes with breasts (nice ones too).
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