Ralph Nader: Up Close

A winner at the Sinking Creek Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival, among others, Mark Litwak and Tiiu Lukk's Ralph Nader: Up Close is a fascinating portrait of Ralph Nader, the man. Narrated by Studs Terkel, the film contains numerous revealing interview excerpts with the #1 consumer advocate, as well as interviews with author David Halberstam, and conservative Nader opponent Richard Viguerie. We all know Ralph Nader the shining crusader for consumer rights. Undoubtedly, we're all benefiting from one or more of many pieces of legislation which Nader has been responsible for. Is he the selfless knight that he is seen to be by the media? Actually, yes. Owning neither a house nor a car, Nader is both spouseless and childless, and lives on $10,000 a year. The profits from his books and lectures are funneled back into the many consumer advocate groups he has operating. Nader's reflections on his childhood and the principles his parents taught him contain numerous gems. He recalls that his mother would ask him "How much is a loaf of bread?" and Nader says that he "knew, right on the button." (And we do not for a second doubt it.) "Then," he says, "my mother would point out the window and ask "how much is that sunshine worth?" Clips from the famous Senate hearings on auto safety that prompted GM to run a totally ineffective and ultimately costly smear campaign against Nader, as well as his self-parodying appearance on Saturday Night Live, are also included. In the public mind, Ralph Nader is no doubt seen as a nitpicking dweeb. Ralph Nader: Up Close dispels this notion entirely. Nader is a serious and conscientious voice for the people who is also a quite funny, likeable and interesting guy. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: Ralph Nader: Up Close is also available in a 72-minute version ($395) and a 30-minute version ($295).] (Available from: New Day Films, 121 West 27th St., Suite 902, New York, NY 10001.)