Best movies like Secret Honor
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In this speculative one-man drama, we see former President Richard Milhous Nixon alone in his study, dictating his thoughts into a tape recorder. His only company are a four-screen closed-circuit TV setup, the portraits on the walls, a bottle of Chivas Regal - and a loaded pistol. At times addressing an imaginary judge in a court of public opinion, at other times speaking to an aide named Roberto, and sometimes just talking to himself, the former chief executive reflects, in a series of meandering monologues, on his humble Quaker upbringing, his school days, his family and a political career that reached all the way to the White House. Nixon rails at his treatment by the likes of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the "goddam Kennedys," J. Edgar Hoover, Henry Kissinger, Jews, liberals, the media, "East Coast shits," among others, as he leads up to the "true" reasons for the Watergate scandal that resulted in his resignation - an act he regards as one of "secret honor.".
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, political, talky, cult classic, independent film, sincere, realistic, contemplative, semi serious, minimal cast
Best tv shows and movies like Secret Honor (1984):
Similar in 84%
Swimming to Cambodia (1987)
Plot Summary:
Spalding Gray sits behind a desk throughout the entire film and recounts his exploits and chance encounters while playing a minor role in the film 'The Killing Fields'. At the same time, he gives a background to the events occurring in Cambodia at the time the film was set.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: cult classic, minimal cast, humorous, talky, political, realistic, not serious, semi autobiographical, independent film, funny
Similar in 89%
Gray's Anatomy (1996)
Plot Summary:
The film documents, in an often dramatic and humorous fashion, Gray's investigations into alternative medicine for an eye condition (Macular pucker) he had developed.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, psychological, offbeat, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film, exciting, funny, light
Similar in 85%
Monster in a Box (1992)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of Spalding Gray and his attempt to write a novel. It is a first person account about writing and living, and dealing with success while trying to be successful.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 870
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: independent film, clever, witty, talky, humorous, realistic, semi serious, psychological, tense, philosophical
Similar in 85%
Path to War (2002)
Plot Summary:
From director John Frankenheimer ('The Manchurian Candidate') comes this powerful drama of soaring ambition and shattered dreams that takes a provocative insider's look at the way our country goes to war--as seen from inside the LBJ White House leading up to and during Vietnam.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 165 min
Plot tags: political, tense, serious, realistic, non fiction, cult classic, cult film, political drama
Similar in 90%
Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975)
Plot Summary:
One man show about the presidency of Harry S Truman.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 561
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: minimal cast, political, independent film, political comedy, one man show
Similar in 82%
Casino Jack (2010)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story, a hot shot Washington DC lobbyist and his protégé go down hard as their schemes to peddle influence lead to corruption and murder.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: political, factual, satirical, stylized, visually appealing, semi serious, clever, cynical, intense, colorful
Similar in 78%
The Conquest (2011)
Plot Summary:
A look at French president Nicolas Sarkozy's rise to power.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sincere, thought provoking, realistic, serious, captivating, political, contemplative
Similar in 82%
The Reagans (2003)
Plot Summary:
The miniseries featured James Brolin as Ronald Reagan and Judy Davis as Nancy Reagan, and covers the period in time from 1949 when Reagan was still in Hollywood, through his governorship of California until Reagan's last day in office as President in 1989.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 780
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 171 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, thought provoking, serious, controversial
Similar in 83%
The Best Man (1964)
Plot Summary:
The other party is in disarray. Five men vie for the party nomination for president. No one has a majority as the first ballot closes and the front-runners begin to decide how badly they want the job.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, cynical, political, rough, clever, witty, contemplative, biting, suspense
Similar in 87%
The Last Mitterrand (2005)
Plot Summary:
A young journalist (Lespert) helps the French President compile his memoirs.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, sincere, thought provoking, realistic, talky, political, contemplative, factual
Similar in 88%
Fidel & Che (2002)
Plot Summary:
Fidel Castro rises to power in Cuba.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Mexico
Duration: 206 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, tense, sincere, edutainment
Similar in 88%
Silver City (2004)
Plot Summary:
The discovery of a corpse threatens to unravel a bumbling local politician's campaign for governor of Colorado.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: clever, political, satirical, stylized, suspenseful, thought provoking, talky, sincere, realistic, witty
Similar in 79%
Spinning Boris (2003)
Plot Summary:
Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: clever, realistic, political, humorous, witty, talky, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Man of the Year (2006)
Plot Summary:
The irreverent host of a political satire talk show decides to run for president and expose corruption in Washington. His stunt goes further than he expects when he actually wins the election, but a software engineer suspects that a computer glitch is responsible for his surprising victory.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: humorous, political, stylized, semi serious, sincere, realistic, hilarious, satirical, feel good, romantic comedy
Similar in 83%
Bob Roberts (1992)
Plot Summary:
Mock documentary about an upstart candidate for the U.S. Senate written and directed by actor Tim Robbins. Bob Roberts is a folksinger with a difference: He offers tunes that protest welfare chiselers, liberal whining, and the like. As the filmmakers follow his campaign, Robbins gives needle-sharp insight into the way candidates manipulate the media.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, political, witty, cynical, talky, humorous, funny, satirical, independent film, parody
Similar in 78%
The American President (1995)
Plot Summary:
Widowed U.S. president Andrew Shepherd, one of the world's most powerful men, can have anything he wants -- and what he covets most is Sydney Ellen Wade, a Washington lobbyist. But Shepherd's attempts at courting her spark wild rumors and decimate his approval ratings.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: political, romantic, touching, witty, suspense, romantic comedy, realistic, semi serious, clever, feel good
Similar in 80%
Running Mates (2000)
Plot Summary:
A governor running for President gets revealed to be a serial philanderer.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 693
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, political, biting, suspense
Similar in 77%
Primary Colors (1998)
Plot Summary:
In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: political, intense, witty, talky, semi serious, thought provoking, humorous, realistic, clever, satirical
Similar in 79%
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot (2001)
Plot Summary:
They were more than Washington wives. They were part of an American dream known as Camelot. With strength and cunning they upheld their public image by concealing their private truths. Jackie, Ethel and Joan had little choice. They were Kennedy women. What really unfolded behind the monolith of Kennedy power is revealed for the first time: the true story of the Kennedy reign told through the eyes of the three women who lived it.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 453
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 163 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, serious, political, contemplative, talky
Similar in 75%
Wag the Dog (1997)
Plot Summary:
During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 88000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: black comedy, political, talky, dark comedy, realistic, satirical, funny, melancholic, humorous, thought provoking
Similar in 90%
Blaze (1989)
Plot Summary:
This movie tells the story of the latter years of Earl Long, a flamboyant governor of Louisiana. The aging Earl, an unapologetic habitue of strip joints, falls in love with young stripper Blaze Starr. When Earl and Blaze move in together, Earl's opponents use this to attack his controversial political program, which included civil rights for blacks in the 1950's.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: sexy, anime, serious, realistic, light, feel good, unusual plot structure, political, melancholic, dramatic
Similar in 80%
The Candidate (1972)
Plot Summary:
Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: political, witty, realistic, cynical, thought provoking, clever, talky, biting, entertaining, funny
Similar in 85%
The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001)
Plot Summary:
The Day Reagan Was Shot is a 2001 film made for television directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss as Alexander Haig and Richard Crenna as Ronald Reagan.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: realistic, disturbing, semi serious, suspense, tense, political, biting, fake documentary
Similar in 75%
Truman (1995)
Plot Summary:
Biographical account of America's President for the latter part of WWII. Shows Truman's rise from small-town nobody to leader of the USA, his decision to use the Atomic Bomb against Japan, and subsequent election as the US' post-war President.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: political, historical drama, sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, political drama
Similar in 79%
Power (1986)
Plot Summary:
Pete St. John is a powerful and successful political consultant, with clients spread around the country. When his long-time friend and client Ohio senator Sam Hastings decides to quit politics, he is rapidly drafted to help with the campaign of the man destined to succeed him, unknown and mysterious businessman Jerome Cade.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, clever, cynical, political, retro, talky
Similar in 86%
Recount (2008)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent recounts in Florida.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: realistic, political, factual, talky, intense, serious, captivating, controversial, non fiction, cult classic
Similar in 87%
The Deal (2003)
Plot Summary:
It is approaching an election in the UK when the leader of the Labour party, John Smith, suffers another in a line of heart attacks and dies. With the leadership campaign about to start the clear choice appears to be Gordon Brown, a stanch Scotsman. However Tony Blair is also beginning to appear more likely as he will appeal to Southern voters who would be turned off by Brown. Blair rings Brown to arrange a meeting to discuss which will go for the job. The film flashbacks to the start of their relationship, sharing an office in Westminster on their first seats.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: political, clever, serious, realistic, sincere, thought provoking, talky, political drama
Similar in 77%
W. (2008)
Plot Summary:
Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W. Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. W takes viewers through Bush’s eventful life -- his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to Bush’s decision to invade Iraq.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 50000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, China
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: political, factual, sincere, cynical, social, non fiction, horror comedy, cult classic, clever, serious
Similar in 81%
Bobby (2006)
Plot Summary:
In 1968 the lives of a retired doorman, hotel manager, lounge singer, busboy, beautician and others intersect in the wake of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: political, realistic, light, intense, melancholic, captivating, historical drama, twist ending, sincere, neo noir
Similar in 78%
Nixon (1995)
Plot Summary:
An all-star cast powers this epic look at American President Richard M. Nixon, a man carrying the fate of the world on his shoulders while battling the self-destructive demands within. Spanning his troubled boyhood in California to the shocking Watergate scandal that would end his presidency.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 192 min
Plot tags: political, factual, talky, compassionate, intense, thought provoking, realistic, sincere, touching, serious