The movie "The Swamp" from 2020 is a political documentary that aims to uncover the truth behind the inner workings of the United States Congress. The film follows three Republican congressmen; Ken Buck, Matt Gaetz, and Thomas Massie as they attempt to navigate through the chaos of Washington D.C. and reveal the corruption and dishonesty that is present within the world of politics.
Directed by Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme, the documentary takes a hard and objective look at the dysfunction that is rampant in the U.S. Congress. The filmmakers follow the progress of the three congressmen as they try to wrest control of the government away from entrenched interests and special interest groups.
The documentary starts by introducing the three congressmen and their backgrounds. Ken Buck, a former prosecutor, is a Colorado representative who has earned a reputation as a hardline conservative. Matt Gaetz, a Florida representative, is a young and ambitious politician who quickly made a name for himself as a fierce defender of President Donald Trump. Finally, Thomas Massie, a Kentucky representative, is a libertarian who is known for being a contrarian and a disruptor.
As the movie unfolds, the filmmakers show the congressmen as they confront the many challenges that come with being a politician in Washington D.C. They are often confronted with powerful interest groups that seek to influence their votes, a media that is constantly trying to spin their actions, and fellow politicians who are more interested in playing politics than doing what is right.
Despite the many obstacles that they face, the congressmen remain undeterred in their mission to expose and root out corruption from politics. They speak candidly about how the system is rigged against the people and how they are fighting to make a difference. The documentary shows them working behind the scenes, drafting legislation, and rallying their colleagues to support reforms that would help to level the playing field in Congress.
One of the most compelling moments in the movie comes when the congressmen are confronted with a bill that they believe will be detrimental to the American public. Despite strong pressure from their own party, they refuse to support the bill, even when doing so would have protected their own political interests.
Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers do an excellent job of showing the complexities of the political landscape in the U.S. Members of Congress are shown to be divided along party lines, with little room for independent thought or compromise. The film also shows how the concentration of power in a few elite individuals creates a system that is inherently corrupt.
Ultimately, "The Swamp" offers a sobering look at the state of politics in America today. The documentary offers no easy answers, but it does suggest that change is possible if people are willing to stand up and fight for what is right. It is clear that the three congressmen featured in the documentary are not satisfied with the status quo and that they are dedicated to making a difference, even if it means going against their own parties.
Overall, "The Swamp" is an excellent documentary that offers a rare look inside the world of politics. It is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in understanding how the government works and why it is so difficult to effect change in Washington D.C.
The Swamp is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.