One Strategist’s Legacy, in His Own Words

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MOVIE REVIEW
Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid (DVD)
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024, Kino Lorber DVD 2025
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Matt Tyrnauer
Where To Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Political figures don’t always make for the most dynamic documentary subjects. Still, the results are interesting when you’ve got someone as sharp-tongued, quick-witted, and undeniably influential as James Carville. CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID takes audiences through the highs and lows of one of modern politics’ most recognizable strategists. Whether he's rallying behind a candidate or eviscerating his own party’s missteps, Carville is never one to play it safe, and that energy drives this documentary forward. While the film does a solid job of capturing his impact on political messaging and strategy, it doesn’t always dig deep enough into the broader consequences of his influence.

At its core, this political biopic focuses on the mechanics of winning. The documentary stitches together archival footage, interviews, and present-day insights to portray Carville’s decades-long career. His ability to break down complex political issues into bite-sized, digestible messages is a major theme throughout the film. Few in the business have been able to shape the national conversation the way he has, and the documentary reminds viewers why his contributions to modern campaigning remain significant. His legendary phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid,” may be decades old, but the film clarifies why it still resonates today.

There’s no denying that Carville is a fascinating subject, and the film benefits from his natural charisma. Even in his late 70s, he has the same energy that made him a formidable force during Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign. Watching him dissect the 2024 election cycle in real time adds a sense of urgency to the documentary, particularly regarding his unfiltered critiques of the Democratic Party’s messaging problems. Carville, never one to sugarcoat, was sounding the alarm about Biden’s re-election chances long before other political analysts dared to acknowledge the concerns. His commentary is undeniably compelling whether you think he’s right or wrong.

The documentary shines in the glimpses of Carville’s personal life, especially his decades-long marriage to Republican strategist Mary Matalin. Political junkies have long been fascinated by the dynamic between these two—adversaries in their professional lives but partners in everything else. The film does a good job of showing how they navigate their ideological differences while maintaining mutual respect. Their back-and-forth banter provides some of the most entertaining moments in the movie, proving that politics is both a passion and a battleground for them.

The film takes a no-frills approach, opting for a straightforward presentation rather than unnecessary flourishes. The archival footage is well-integrated, offering a strong sense of history without feeling like a lesson. The pacing is smooth, though there are moments when it feels like the documentary could push harder rather than relying solely on Carville’s perspective. The film leans heavily on his point of view, and while that makes for entertaining commentary, a more balanced analysis of his successes and failures would have added depth.

Carville’s outspoken nature is a big part of what makes him engaging, but it’s also where the documentary could have taken a more critical approach. His critiques of the Democratic Party, particularly his frustration with messaging, are interesting but somewhat surface-level. He argues that Democrats have lost touch with working-class voters due to poor communication strategies, but the reality is more complex. The problem isn’t just messaging—it’s leadership that struggles to unite the various factions within the party. The film doesn’t push back much on Carville’s claims, and at times, it feels like his perspective is taken at face value rather than explored in greater depth.

One of the more eyebrow-raising moments is Carville’s claim that Democrats hurt themselves by supporting “Defund the Police.” While it’s true that the phrase was politically disastrous (while having good intentions), the film doesn’t do enough to challenge his framing of the issue. In reality, most mainstream Democrats never actually backed the movement in any serious way. The way he presents it makes it sound like a party-wide endorsement when, in truth, it was a poorly branded grassroots effort that only a small fraction of elected officials supported. A more nuanced exploration of this claim would have made for a richer discussion.

In the end, CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID offers an insightful, if somewhat one-sided, look at a man who helped shape modern political campaigns. The documentary illustrates why Carville remains a relevant figure in American politics, even as the landscape around him continues to shift. For political enthusiasts, it’s an easy recommendation. For casual viewers, the entertainment value comes less from the subject matter and more from Carville’s personality. The film could have gone deeper in its analysis, but as a character study of one of the loudest political voices, it delivers an engaging and informative watch. Love him or hate him, Carville’s legacy in political strategy is undeniable, and this film ensures that his sharp, unfiltered, and fearless voice continues to be heard.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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