Jonathan Demme and the Making of 'The Manchurian Candidate' Page #2

Polls indicate that

more and more voters

are concerned with

personal family safety,

with economic security,

fearing more and more jobs

going overseas

or being taken by

illegal immigrants.

They're concerned with the quality

of air and our water,

the degradation caused by the

rollback in environmental regulations,

by religious and racial polarization,

with the drumbeat of body bags

coming from all over the globe.

The American people are ready

for a new agenda.

But because this party is so

divided on so many issues,

the choice of a vice presidential

nominee may very well be

the unifying factor for delegates

at this convention.

MAN [ON TV]:
And if this respect

propels me toward the nomination

as your vice presidential candidate,

I will be greatly honored.

We need to look inward,

attend to our own house.

The danger to our country is not only

from some terrorists at large,

terrorists who, by the way,

we've helped engender

with 20 years

of failed foreign policy.

No, the real danger

is from suspending civil liberties,

gutting the Bill of Rights,

allowing our fear

to destroy our democratic ideals,

because once we start overturning

our constitutional protections,

our enemies have won.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Raymond? Oh.

- There he is.

- Darling. Shoo.

What, were you gonna make me

stand out there like room service?

I asked downstairs and Miss Freeman,

your wrangler, helpful Miss Freeman,

she said you were up here

practicing your speech.

I don't honestly understand why

you insist upon

isolating yourself, Raymond.

People adore you,

they crave your company,

and yet here you are,

holed up as if you were some sort of

emotionally challenged individual

like your father.

Shut up, Tom.

Instead of Raymond Prentiss Shaw,

handsome, intelligent,

people-loving war hero

with a great deal to offer his party.

- No.

- And his country.

RAYMOND:

No.

- No, what?

- No.

I haven't even asked you

a question yet.

RAYMOND:
No to the question

you're going to ask.

No to all of the questions

you pretend to want to ask.

Your hair is too flat.

And no, you may not engage

in your usual backdoor

And that tie...

political thuggery to shovel me

onto the presidential ticket.

Tie's wrong. Something less busy.

Oh, you're not interested.

Of course I'm interested.

I wouldn't be here if I wasn't.

But not if it means attacking

the reputation

of a statesman like Tom Jordan,

which I am sure

was part of your plan.

Excuse me, when have I ever

attacked Senator Jordan, despite...

Despite what?

Despite the shameful way

his daughter toyed with you

that summer at the shore.

You chased her away, Mother,

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