When politicians show bravery today, it’s uncommon. Confrontation often gets more praise than competence or cooperation. It’s rare to see leaders testing their principles, especially when it could cost them their position.
Director Steve Pink, known for Hot Tub Time Machine and Grosse Pointe Blank, tells the story of former Congressman Adam Kinzinger in The Last Republican with an engaging and journalistic approach. The irony of the title and the left-leaning views of Pink make for an interesting collaboration that shares a story of modern America filled with power and complexity.
Adam Kinzinger is the kind of politician who stands out. With his military appearance and firm beliefs, he looks like someone you’d see in a movie about the president. His political stance is very conservative—he strongly supported Trump’s policies, admired Reagan, and had traditional views on topics like gun control. However, Kinzinger stood out from his Republican peers in one important way.
When the January 6, 2020, Capitol attack occurred, fueled by Trump’s false claims, Kinzinger joined a few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump. He chose not to blindly follow the GOP and decided that the event must never be allowed again.
The documentary isn’t just about the Capitol attack but also about Kinzinger reflecting on how his decisions led to him losing his position and leaving the party he had supported since he was a teen. The film also shows Kinzinger’s desire to serve his country, which led him to join the military after 9/11.
His choice to act courageously was clear when he saved a woman during a knife attack, putting his life in danger. That was when he first realized doing what’s right could come with a cost.
While the subject matter is serious, Pink doesn’t let the film become a list of Kinzinger’s achievements. Instead, the documentary takes a deeper look at Kinzinger’s character and decisions. The film recognizes moments where he made the right choice, free from political influence.
There’s also a dynamic between Kinzinger and Pink, with the congressman reflecting from his office at the end of his term, while Pink’s voice humorously questions him from behind the camera. One surprising detail revealed in the film is how Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly suggested Kinzinger for the committee investigating January 6 before even officially asking him, showing her sharp political instincts.
What makes The Last Republican stand out is its focus on a story still unfolding. Even as the documentary is shown, Kinzinger appears at Democratic events, choosing to support them over Trump, despite still holding onto his Republican values. This situation makes the film feel more important, offering a glimpse of two political figures respecting each other, even if they don’t agree.
The film also highlights Kinzinger’s sense of duty and offers a timely look at a critical period in American history. A post-credits joke suggests Kinzinger might run for president, acknowledging how unpredictable his political future is. As of now, it seems unlikely he’ll return to the Republican party unless he changes his core beliefs. However, he might find a role in a future Democratic administration or become a media commentator.
The Last Republican entertains while also raising essential questions about politics, duty, and leadership. It doesn’t present Kinzinger as a perfect hero, but it shows someone willing to stand up when others wouldn’t.
It leaves viewers wondering what could have been different if more had taken a stand alongside him. The documentary tells the story of a flawed man who did the right thing when it mattered most. It makes you question whether we, in the same position, would have done the same.
