Even though the idea of Hollywood Democrats saying no to a Washington Republican is nothing new, Representative Devin Nunes (R-Calif) is still disappointed.
By FilmStew Staff, FilmStew.com
Ten years after the release of 1998 Best Picture runner-up Saving Private Ryan, a Congressman in Washington had perhaps naively expected that he would be able to obtain signatures of support from director Steven Spielberg and-or stars Tom Hanks and Matt Damon for theHubbard Act, a bill relating to the sole-survivor combat policy similar to the one crucial to the film's narrative. But Representative Devin Nunes (R-California) was evidently mistaken.
According to The Hill, Spielberg and Hanks – through representatives – politely declined, while Damon has not followed up a message that he would review the opportunity after completing a movie project in Europe. The legislation Nunes is lobbying for seeks to address the injustice of family members losing military benefits after withdrawing, under the sole-survivor policy, from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan following the death of other family members.
"Hollywood made millions on this film, and we thought they'd want to give back," Nunes tells the daily D.C. newspaper. "We have a real-life Private Ryan who could use their help … It has been rather frustrating on our end that they're not interested."
As the publication points out, it is far more complicated than that. With each opportunity for A-list level association comes the risk of polarization, criticism and west coast fallout. Though Nunes cites Charlton Heston as the kind of celebrity who had no fear when in came to supporting political causes, the truth is he was one of the last vestiges of a bygone era.
There is, however, still hope for Nunes' effort in Hollywood. According to the article, MPAA President Dan Glickman informed Nunes yesterday that he is going to try and enlist industry support for the bill.
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