Prime Minister

by Mike McGranaghan

Jacinda Ardern never wanted to be New Zealand’s PM. She was quite clear about that. Too much pressure, too much responsibility. The universe had other plans. The biographical documentary Prime Minister gets us up close and personal with this extraordinary political figure who ended up with the job and consequently dealt with imposter syndrome, even as she did great things for New Zealanders.

Filmmakers Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe combine their own footage with home movies shot by Ardern’s husband and news footage. After landing the PM gig when her predecessor stepped down, Ardern set out to represent the Labour Party as best she could. Compassion and the betterment of people’s lives drove her decision making, leading to immense popularity. But there were a string of political challenges, too, including the Christchurch mosque shooting and COVID-19.

The section on the pandemic is especially interesting. Ardern makes the difficult decision to shut New Zealand down, which eliminates the spread while also raising the ire of people who resent their businesses and overall way of life being affected. Her approval polling starts to take a hit. She believes she did the right thing. Nevertheless, facing the ire of constituents who oppose carefully researched and considered decisions brings with it a not insignificant amount of frustration.

Prime Minister captures its subject’s gripping arc. During her term in office, she strives to enact legislation that will benefit her country. The pressure of politics begins to weigh on her, as does the sexism she faces for being unmarried and becoming pregnant during her tenure. Those pressures eventually sway her to leave political life. Utz and Walshe are there to record the ups and downs, along with Ardern’s candid reactions to them. What we find is a woman who is proud of what she accomplished, yet painfully aware that no politician can please all of the people all of the time.

Briskly paced and consistently inspiring, the film offers a trenchant examination of a politician trying to do her best in an era when the world is deeply divided. It’s an unapologetically admiring portrait of Jacinda Aldern, so at no point does it ever challenge her. That’s understandable, though. Few politicians these days seem to have the courage of their convictions. She did, and she continues to as a private citizen.

Prime Minister is a much-needed reminder of how the individuals who govern us are supposed to be.

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