All of this means that The Campaign Of Miner Bo is often pretty dull when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the events playing across the screen. Drezner’s lack of style and rather cumbersome editing do not help matters. But, there are two rather important elements of the film that keep it afloat. The first is the most subtle part of the entire production – the legwork of starting, maintaining, and keeping up the momentum of a small campaign for someone with no political experience.
Watching the sacrifices of both time, energy, and money the Copleys expend throughout their ordeal gives the movie a depth it lacks in literally every other way. After a debate, Copley is wandering about, unsure of where to go, or what to do. During an interview at the same time, when asked if he’d support another candidate winning the nomination, his answers are succinct and genuine. See, the reporters are not asking what he’d do if he’d win, which must have hurt, being written off like that.
“…Copley is the sort of person we should all want running for office…”
The other aspect of The Campaign Of Miner Bo that edges it towards a soft recommendation is Copley himself. While he never brushes up on all the things the Senate would ask him to consider, should he get there, he is an authentic, easily likable man. When he does have a firm answer about an issue, he is well-spoken and clearly believes what he is saying. No matter where one aligns themselves politically, Copley is the sort of person we should all want running for office – concerned for his community, genuine, and wishes to make change, as the current politicians cannot do so.
The Campaign Of Miner Bo is blandly filmed, gives zero context for much of the policies and politics it follows. It shows an odd lack of planning from the candidate it is about. But, said potential Senator, Bo Copley is a likable, reasonable man who wishes to do right by his community and state. Even when the movie lacks urgency, he keeps viewers somewhat engaged. Plus, seeing a small scale campaign’s inner workings, from a non-politician, proves more fascinating than anything else in the movie. It’s worth watching once, especially if you are big into politics, just don’t expect to be blown away by it.
"…seeing a small scale campaign's inner workings, from a non-politician, proves more fascinating than anything else in the movie."
