Man with a Plan

An amazing movie that, although lower quality due to the only \$100,000 dollars spent on it, received over 1 million in the box office and stands as one of the greatest and yet most overlooked political movies of all time. *Man with a Plan* is a satirical masterpiece, brilliantly blending Vermont charm with biting political commentary. Fred Tuttle's performance is both hilarious and endearing, embodying the everyman with uncanny authenticity. The film's humor is understated but razor-sharp, skewering the absurdities of modern politics with homespun wit. For a microbudget production, its narrative power and grassroots appeal are unparalleled. A true cult classic and a must-watch for political junkies and indie film fans alike. 10/10.

This is one of the great films about politics, in that it's not really about politics, but about human triumphs and follies. It grounds its satire and commentary in its sympathy for the characters, more like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington than Wag the Dog and All the President's men. It's not a polemic. Rather, the satire is not overdone, the commentary is subtle, and the humanity is overwhelming. Seriously now --don't we need more people like Fred Tuttle in government? I'd certainly vote for him! Because if Fred Tuttle can make it, then there is hope for this country in these dark times.

The movie is great and fun to watch.

Everybody who likes Vermont should see it. It is fun entertainment and the fact that Fred Tuttle subsequently ran in and won the Republican primary for real against a rich out-of-stater who wanted to buy a Senate seat makes it even better.

The DVD has the eulogy on Fred Tuttle by Vermont public radio telling that story as an extra.

The DVD does not show up on Amazon as available but you can order it at the online store of Vermont Public television (www.vpt.org/store).

Get it and enjoy!

A wonderful movie; Fred Tuttle's a charmer so refreshingly innocent who takes on the big time Washington politicians by running for public office. Soon after "Man with a Plan" was released, Fred actually ran for office here in Vermont, defeating the Republican candidate in the primary...Life imitates art!

"Spread Fred" became one of the slogans that raised our (Vermont's) hopes for a better kind of political climate in Washington. As a Vermonter who hoped to hear "Fr-e-e-d Tu-tt-le" echoing not only down the Tunbridge valley but the whole state and then the nation, I made sure that my vote (in events occurring after the movie, which actually should have been made into a sequel!!)for Fred helped squelched Jack (money) McMillan. (See review by "lightning.") In "The Man with a Plan", Fred demonstrates basic honesty, Vermont country thinking, willingness to learn new ways and, as well, by doing things just as he always had, teaching the folks around him what had worked for him. He kept his feet solidly on the ground at the same time that he listened to friends and his 90 year old father. I obtained a VHS version of Man with a Plan and have loaned it to friends, purchased one for each of my five children and have watched it many times. I feel that it IS Vermont.