An unreasonable man

Filmmaker Steve Skrovan will participate in Q&A’s following the 4:10 and 7 o’clock screenings at the One Colorado on Saturday, February 17th.

In 1966, General Motors, the most powerful corporation in the world, sent private investigators to dig up dirt on Ralph Nader, an obscure thirty-two-year-old public interest lawyer, who had written a book critical of one of their cars, the Corvair. The scandal that ensued after the smear campaign was revealed, launched Ralph Nader into national prominence and established him as the leader of the modern Consumer Movement. Over the next thirty years and without ever holding public office, Nader built a legislative record that rivals any contemporary president. Many things we take for granted including seat belts, airbags, product labeling, no nukes, even the free ticket you get after being bumped from an overbooked flight are largely due to the efforts of Ralph Nader and his citizen groups. Yet today, when most people hear his name, they think of the man who cost the Democrats the Presidential election. After sustaining his popularity and effectiveness over an unprecedented amount of time, he now has become a pariah even among former friends and allies. AN UNREASONABLE MAN traces the life and career of Ralph Nader, one of the most unique, important, and controversial political figures of our time.

“An entertaining tour of this endearing, infuriating absolutist’s life and legacy.” (L.A. Weekly)

“The film contends admiringly, and convincingly, that Ralph Nader's authentic sense of outrage is the reason he persists when he can't prevail.” (Wall Street Journal)

“A perceptive and beautifully made documentary portrait of Nader.” (Premiere)

“If you can detach yourself from the back-and-forth vituperation (perhaps an impossible project), the Nader story begins to resemble a grand tragedy about the American left.” (salon.com)

“If the film shows that few men are as unreasonable as Ralph Nader, it also shows that few have so succeeded in shaping their world: His legacy of progressive legislation will affect generations to come.” (Village Voice)