HBO says no political agenda behind Sarah Palin film

PASADENA: In a politically polarized country, the people behind HBOs upcoming movie on Sarah Palins vice presidential campaign are being careful not to take one side or the other.

There is no agenda here, said Danny Strong, writer of the film Game Change, at a news conference Friday. filmmakers said they sought historical accuracy.

The movie debuts March 10. It is based on John Heilemann and Mark Halperins book about the 2008 presidential campaign, but focuses specifically on Palin. Director Jay Roach said he wrote a long letter to the former Alaska governor seeking an interview with her to help the film, but I got a very quick email back from her attorney saying, I checked, she declined.

Roach and Strong were the team behind HBOs Emmy-winning Recount about the disputed 2000 presidential election.

I dont think this movie is going to change peoples minds one way or another, Strong said. People are very polarized. Its not designed to change peoples minds.

Actress Julianne Moore looks strikingly like Palin in her depiction. Asked what she thought of Palin after getting so close to the story, Moore said she had profound respect for the historical nature of the candidacy.

There was a tremendous amount of pressure, Moore said. That was what I was trying to capture, the pressure that she was under. Actor Ed Harris portrays John McCain. Although the resemblance to his character isnt quite as sharp as Moores, its pretty close.

One unusual casting was Woody Harrelson, who plays McCain campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. The films story is largely seen through Schmidts eyes. Harrelson, who describes himself politically as probably more an anarchist, said he met Schmidt and liked him.

The concept of playing this guy, he said, who I think ideologically couldnt be any farther away from me felt like a real challenge.