The Clinton Years

Sadly, this co-production of ABC's Nightline and PBS' Frontline is not a rockumentary about George Clinton and the funk music scene of the ‘70s, but rather a video meditation on Bill Clinton's legacy--so the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll are still factors, but in a different way. The former president's video portrait is painted here through archival footage and interview snippets from Clintonians such as George Stephanopolous, Dee Dee Myers and the always-entertaining James Carville. Early on, Stephanopolous gives voice to the pro-Clinton folks' underlying theme when he describes Clinton's time in office as “good” when it could have been “great.” Weighing in at a full two hours, this is a sharp professional production boasting impeccable research and journalism as it offers a comprehensive look at both the man and the politician. Seeing footage of Clinton promising never to lie, while preparing to lie about extramarital affairs (followed immediately by Hillary accidentally but gratuitously dissing Tammy Wynette) reminds us of how those years marked a sort of return to a Nixonian world of bare-faced manipulation and outright dissimulation. Was Clinton a saint who resorted to palaver and chicanery only in the pursuit of laudable ends, or was he the Slick Willie his enemies claimed, taking advantage of his position of power to revel in sordid behavior? The Clinton Years provides documented, provocative evidence for either side. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Tribby)