State of the Union
Performance & Direction: State of the Union Review
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is State of the Union (1948) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and State of the Union features a noteworthy lineup led by Spencer Tracy . Supported by the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Van Johnson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
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?
Story & Plot Summary: State of the Union
Quick Plot Summary: State of the Union is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: State of the Union
Ending Breakdown: State of the Union concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, 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 comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of State of the Union reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch State of the Union?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: State of the Union
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
State of the Union Budget
The estimated production budget for State of the Union is $2.6M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: State of the Union
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch State of the Union Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeState of the Union Parents Guide & Age Rating
1948 AdvisoryWondering about State of the Union age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of State of the Union is 124 minutes (2h 4m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, State of the Union is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1948 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is State of the Union worth watching?
State of the Union is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find State of the Union parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for State of the Union identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of State of the Union?
The total duration of State of the Union is 124 minutes, which is approximately 2h 4m long.
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Critic Reviews for State of the Union
This is a fine example of the on screen chemistry between Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The former is a successful businessman talked into running for the Republican nomination for US President by the ambitious "Kay Thorndyke" (Angela Lansbury). She vows to put her not inconsiderable resources (newspapers and the like) behind his campaign. His wife "Mary" (Hepburn) is somewhat of a free spirit, as you'd expect, and soon she proves to be a bit of a liability to the party machine encouraging her husband to challenge the establish politics (and politicians) not only rocking, but potentially sinking the boat. Lansbury stands out for me here, she plays the duplicitous character convincingly marrying subtle menace with a femme-fatale style elegance really well. There are a couple of solid supporting roles from Adolphe Menjou and the slick Van Johnson ("Spike") and the whole scenario gives us an interesting, well written, look at just how undemocratic an election proves can actually be...
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.
