Game Change, which was filmed in and around Baltimore, will have its D.C. premiere tomorrow night at the Newseum — star Julianne Moore and executive producer Tom Hanks are rumored to attend — and a screening in Baltimore on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Landmark. (Okay, so not as glamorous as the D.C. premiere, but free popcorn and parking!) Both events are invitation only.
The controversial movie, based on the bestselling book of the same name, airs on Saturday at 9 p.m. on HBO. It follows John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, from his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate to the ticket’s ultimate defeat. Judging by the trailer (see it on our homepage), Moore as Palin and Harris as McCain give eerily accurate portrayals — at least in mannerisms and body language — of the two conservative icons. The movie also stars Woody Harrelson as McCain operative Steve Schmidt. Baltimore Sun TV Critic David Zurawick describes Moore’s and Harris’s performances as “uncanny” and deems Harrelson’s “Emmy-caliber.”
HBO and Maryland have had a long and successful relationship, shooting both The Wire and The Corner here and recently wrapping the series VEEP in Maryland. The filming of Game Change added approximately 160 local production crew and 1,800 local acting and extras jobs to the state economy, according to Governor O’Malley’s website .
