BEFORE TRUMP: HOW PALIN PAVED THE WAY FOR OUTSIDER CANDIDATES

Cinemavixion Review

Nick Broomfield's documentary, "Before Trump: How Palin Paved The Way For Outsider Candidates," offers a compelling, if at times unsettling, portrait of Sarah Palin. Broomfield, known for his unflinching approach, delves into the formative years and community that shaped the former governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate. The film revisits her roots in Wasilla, an Alaskan town grappling with its own unique challenges, including a significant evangelical presence and issues with crystal meth. Through interviews with former friends, family, and colleagues, the documentary seeks to understand the appeal and charisma of Palin, exploring how she transitioned from a local figure to a national political phenomenon. Broomfield examines the complexities of her public persona, touching upon her fierce competitiveness, her battles with the media, and the controversies that marked her political career. "Before Trump" provides an intimate look at the woman behind the headlines, questioning the foundations of her political ascent and its implications for the broader landscape of American politics, particularly in light of later outsider candidacies.