Educational Media Reviews Online

The Lobby provides an evaluation of one of the more successful interest groups in American politics. The film’s primary focus is an assessment of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, the documentary also addresses the foreign policy influence of the broader Jewish community. The film utilizes interviews with leaders and former heads of Jewish organizations as well as those who question the U.S.’s consistent support of Israel. Overall, The Lobby is a balanced critique of the U.S.’s pro-Israeli stance.

In addition, the film demonstrates the importance of money within the U.S. political process. The impact of political action committees (PACs) and their campaign contributions is illustrated in a brief interview with a newly elected member of the U.S. House of Representatives. This segment underscores an issue election scholars continually recognize: the public should be more concerned about substantial legal PAC contributions than infrequent illegal ones.

Another valuable lesson of the film is the impact interest groups can have if they focus on a specific policy area. Several interviewees compare AIPAC with the National Rifle Association (NRA). This association places the film’s critique in the broader context of the power and influence exerted by single-issue interest groups.

While some viewers may find the occasional Dutch narration with English subtitles a bit distracting, the majority of The Lobby consists of interviews in English. Moreover, teachers will appreciate the fact that Brunner covers substantive issues in under a half hour, making the film a useful in-class discussion tool.

Recommended for academic libraries.