James Carville is the Demigod Democrat Strategist who turns elections into bare-knuckle brawls.
You can argue he was more important to Bill Clinton winning the presidency than Bill Clinton was.
And he was certainly the first major Democratic to predict that Joe Biden should pull out of the 2024 presidential election.
As if that’s not enough, he’s married to Republican powerhouse Mary Matalin — so even home life is a battle across party lines.
I love this guy and his origin story:
“Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!” is the best documentary on a political stratgegist I’ve seen (yes, it beats out “Get Me Roger Stone”!).
Trailer for “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!”
Watch “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!”
I watched “Carville” by recording CNN on YouTube TV. I don’t know how much longer you can do that too.
You can also watch it in some theaters (as I write this on Oct. 21, 2024).
Check here for all the streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/carville-winning-is-everything-stupid
Ratings:
- My Rating: 95/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release Dates: August 30, 2024 (TFF); October 11, 2024 (theaters); October 15, 2024 (on CNN).
My Review of “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!”
James Carville’s larger-than-life personality dominates this riveting political documentary.
“Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!” follows the legendary Democratic strategist through the tumultuous 2024 election cycle.
It’s a wild ride into Carville’s rapid-fire world of blunt opinions, Southern wit, and relentless pragmatism.
Director Matt Tyrnauer (known for “Studio 54” and “Where’s My Roy Cohn?”) delivers a 98-minute doc that’s part biography, part real-time political thriller.
The film opens with a punch: Carville’s no-holds-barred warning about Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
“We’re gonna get our asses kicked,” he says, eyes blazing with his characteristic intensity. His dire prediction sets the tone for what becomes an unflinching dive into American electoral politics.
The Ragin’ Cajun’s Roots
We get an intimate look at Carville’s origins, starting with his upbringing in Carville, Louisiana (yes, that’s his family’s town).
At just ten years old, Carville organized a cafeteria protest at school. The principal gave in. This early victory laid the groundwork for the strategist we know today—sharp, unyielding, and always focused on winning.
Tyrnauer takes us deeper into his role in Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign.
That’s where Carville became a household name, coining the unforgettable slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Clinton himself makes an appearance in the doc, praising Carville’s uncanny ability to read the American electorate. George Stephanopoulos calls him a “force of nature.”
It’s clear that Carville didn’t just help Clinton win—he fundamentally shaped the way Democrats approached presidential campaigns.
You Can’t Make This sh*t Up:
Carville’s mom taught him the most on how to sell.
She once sold encyclopedias by targeting homes with bass boats and kids’ bikes in the yard.
Her pitch to husbands:
“If you can afford a boat for yourself, you can afford encyclopedias for your kids.” There’s even a clip of Carville telling this story on David Letterman.
Love Across Party Lines
Carville’s marriage to Republican strategist Mary Matalin adds a fascinating subplot.
The couple’s unlikely love story—Democrat meets Republican—is well-documented, but this film brings out the nuances.
Matalin, as much a co-star as a sidekick, quips that their secret to marital bliss is separate bathrooms: “It saved our marriage.”
In one memorable scene, the pair bicker over politics, but their affection for each other is obvious.
We see them debate on everything from foreign policy to domestic spending, but then reconcile over shared laughs and mutual respect.
Their dynamic is heartwarming, even inspiring, a rare example of bipartisan love in today’s hyper-polarized political climate.
The 2024 Election (Carville pressures Biden)
The doc reaches its peak during the rollercoaster that was the 2024 election. Carville, increasingly alarmed by Biden’s plummeting poll numbers, pushes the Democratic Party to rethink its strategy.
In one scene, we see him analyzing a poll from May 2023 showing Biden down seven points. “It knocked me right off my f***ing horse,” he says, pacing in frustration. His raw energy fuels the film.
Then comes the bombshell: in July 2024, Biden drops out of the race. Carville’s reaction is a mixture of vindication and panic. “Now what?” he asks, his gaze turning towards the Harris campaign.
From here, we watch him pivot with lightning speed, strategizing, networking, and doing what he does best—shaping the future of the Democratic Party.
Carville’s Method (Woke, Masterbation and more)
Carville’s approach to politics is as unique as his personality.
The doc doesn’t hold back in showing his distaste for what he calls the “woke silliness” that has infiltrated parts of the Democratic Party.
In a revealing clip from his podcast with Bill Maher, he rants about the dangers of focusing too much on identity politics, calling it a “losing strategy.”
It’s classic Carville: direct, unapologetic, and grounded in pragmatism.
We also see the human side of him—his daily routine of walking 20,000 steps, his morning rituals, and his obsessive love for metaphors.
There are some light-hearted moments like when he recalls discovering air conditioning and masturbation around the same time:
“Ooh boy, what a combo,” he says with a grin.
The Human Side
While the film paints Carville as a political powerhouse, it doesn’t shy away from his flaws. His temper is legendary, and his impatience shows in behind-the-scenes moments.
Former colleagues recount times he exploded over small setbacks. Yet, these same colleagues speak of his generosity and loyalty.
In one touching scene, Carville returns to his elementary school and gets emotional as he remembers a teacher who believed in him despite his dyslexia.
The moment feels deeply personal and offers a glimpse of the vulnerable side of a man who is usually all business.
The Bigger Picture
Tyrnauer also uses the documentary to explore broader themes in American politics. Carville is portrayed as part of an older, more centrist Democratic guard, often clashing with the party’s younger, more progressive wing.
In one heated exchange, he tells a group of young activists, “You can’t change the world if you can’t win elections.” It’s a powerful reminder that, for Carville, politics is always about winning first.
We also see Carville mentoring up-and-coming political strategists, offering pearls of wisdom from his decades-long career.
He laments the state of American political discourse, pointing out that “millions of Americans don’t even have friends in the other party anymore.” It’s a sobering commentary on our divided nation.
Wrap Up
“Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!” is a gripping, fast-paced documentary that offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of America’s most influential political figures.
The film is both entertaining and enlightening, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and enough political intrigue to keep even casual viewers hooked.
Whether you’re a political junkie or just curious about the man behind some of the most famous campaigns in U.S. history, this documentary is a must-watch.
In the end, Carville remains as complicated and fascinating as ever—flawed, brilliant, and always laser-focused on one thing: winning.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc