Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer

  • 2010
  • Not Rated
  • 75m
movieMx RATING
★
5.6/109
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer poster
Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer backdrop
🖼️PHOTOS4🎬VIDEOS0
Documentary

Honest Man: the Life of R. Budd Dwyer is a movie about politics and corruption, suicide and survival. The film chronicles Dwyer's meteoric rise to political power and examines the bribery scandal and subsequent trial that pushed him to his breaking point. Honest Man also delves into the controversy and consequences of the uncensored airing of Dwyer's death on television stations worldwide. Honest Man reveals a story that has remained untold for over 24 years. The film features exclusive new interviews, including William Smith, the man whose testimony convicted Dwyer, and Dwyer's widow Joanne--her last interview before her death in 2009. Was Dwyer venal, or a victim? Did he kill himself because he couldn't live with being guilty, or because he couldn't live with being innocent? Honest Man allows audiences to judge for themselves.

DirectorJames Dirschberger
StarsR. Budd Dwyer
🎯 Hit or Flop? 🤔 Worth Watching? 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents Guide 📺 Watch Online
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Performance & Direction: Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer Review

Last updated: February 7, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 7, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer (2010) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer features a noteworthy lineup led by R. Budd Dwyer .

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer (2010) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer

Quick Plot Summary: Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer is a Documentary film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Read Full Story Analysis & Plot Breakdown →

Ending Explained: Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer

Ending Breakdown: Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to documentary resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Read Complete Ending & Twist Breakdown →

Who Should Watch Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Documentaries films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Top Cast: Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer

All Cast & Crew →
R. Budd Dwyer
R. Budd DwyerSelf (archive footage)
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Where to Watch Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer Online?

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Availability might vary by region. Check Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer on these digital platforms for the latest catalog status.

Full Streaming Guide & OTT Status →View on TMDB →

Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer Parents Guide & Age Rating

2010 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer has not been officially rated yet.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer is 75 minutes (1h 15m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2010 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer. Rating: 5.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer worth watching?

Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer?

The total duration of Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer is 75 minutes, which is approximately 1h 15m long.

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How Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer Compares & Where it Ranks

🎯 Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer Hit or Flop? ⭐ Is Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer Worth Watching? ⚖️ Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer vs Similar Movies 🎭 Best Documentary Movies

Critic Reviews for Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.6
Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer
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