Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater

Although many young people are no doubt unfamiliar with Barry Goldwater, a substantial percentage of baby boomers are also likely to have only a dim recollection of the man, despite the fact that he was a longtime Arizona senator, an important elder in his party, and the Republican nominee—labeled a dangerous right-wing extremist—trounced by Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential election. However, as director Julie Anderson's HBO-aired documentary Mr. Conservative demonstrates, his family recall him with affection—despite the demands of his political career and personal reserve, Goldwater was always supportive when it counted (such as when one daughter chose to have an abortion, and a grandson announced he was gay). Producer, interviewer, and narrator CC Goldwater, the subject's granddaughter, rallies a small army of commentators—including John Dean, Walter Cronkite, Sandra Day O'Connor, Ben Bradlee, George Will, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and James Carville—who emphasize Goldwater's role as the father of modern conservatism, while pointing out how his libertarian streak was in sharp contrast to contemporary Republican orthodoxy (Goldwater's maverick remarks about Richard Nixon and Jerry Falwell are instructive here). The fine biographical profile Mr. Conservative—which skillfully melds home movies, newsreel footage, and interviews—underscores the fact that the straight-talking, independent-minded Goldwater is a person worth remembering. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. [Note: DVD extras include 32 minutes of additional interviews (with participants including Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain, Al Franken, and Norman Lear), Barry Goldwater's “Shooting Grand Canyon Rapids” historical film of an Arizona river trip (11 min.), a booklet including a timeline and a print interview with producer CC Goldwater, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an excellent biographical documentary.] (F. Swietek)