Hollywood has spent the last decade attacking Donald Trump from every possible angle.
Save one.
What if a dyed-in-the-wool liberal met a handsome MAGA man and, gasp, felt butterflies with every glance?
“The Elephant in the Room” dares to address that question, and it’s a minefield in more ways than one. Kudos to writer/director Erik Bork for not only navigating what could have been a calamitous premise but bringing balance to the story.
Not “The View’s” four Leftists versus one GOP RINO brand of balance, mind you.
And, yeah, it’s both charming and romantic. Now, will it change those unwilling to break bread with someone on the opposite side of the political fence?
Heck, it’s only a movie… but you never know.
Leah (a sparky Alyssa Limperis) is nursing a broken heart and trying to connect with her dour gay roommate Martin (Dominic Burgess).
We’re already in uncharted territory, given Martin’s unusual mien. Hollywood’s de facto stereotyping would have Martin cracking wise and dropping hot takes.
“I’m not sassy and I won’t call you ‘girlfriend,'” he warns her in his Eeyore drawl.
Her malaise lifts, courtesy of a Grub Hub-style delivery man.
Vincent (Sean Kleier) got her order wrong, but she has a hard time getting mad at him. He’s easy on the eyes, gracious and funny, and there’s instant chemistry at play.
They flirt via text and finally meet, but the story is set in early 2021, so politics can’t help but invade the date:
- Stolen election!
- Rigged voting booths!
- A planned Jan. 6 rally will install Trump as our forever president!
When Vincent admits he voted for Trump … twice, Leah is crestfallen. She’s a Rachel Maddow fan and can’t date a man who doesn’t click on every HuffPo update.
So why does she keep seeing him?
“Elephant” would feel heavy in almost any period save our current one. The issues in play are real, not imaginary, and Bork’s script treats them with the respect they deserve.
If anything, Leah comes off as judgmental, but there’s a kindness to her that cuts through that pose. Credit a savvy script and Limperis’s winning performance. The character requires both to thrive.
Erik Bork Talks About his New Red vs Blue Rom-Com, ‘The Elephant in the Room’ – Interview #erikbork #romcom #redstate #bluestate #interview #fanboynationhttps://t.co/myEWw1Ss55
— FanboyNation (@FanboyNation) August 14, 2025
Movies that tackle political debates routinely short-change conservatives. The liberal will uncork a smart, well-organized defense while the Republican spits out stale talking points.
It’s rarely, if ever, a fair fight.
“The Elephant in the Room” is different. Vincent defends his positions well. He’s neither a conspiracy monger nor ill-informed. And, in a reflection of many Left/Right debates, he’s more liberal in the traditional sense when dealing with people who don’t hold his views.
The screenplay softens Vincent’s MAGA bona fides, a sop to audiences who wouldn’t accept an “election denier” as a leading man. That’s fine.
And, to be fair, Leah isn’t the kind to post a screechy TikTok selfie that gains traction on the Right. She’s still too smug by half, but no one’s perfect.
“Elephant” could be funnier, but it never strains for a laugh or sets the characters up for a cheap fall. It’s respectful, but not dull, and even the final moments avoid bow-tying conveniences.
Vincent’s Trumpy grandma (Sandra Ellis Lafferty) comes close to the crude MAGA stereotype we expect from a feature film. She’s granted some humanity and texture, and Lafferty plays the part with a delicate touch. Her bond with Vincent is natural and sweet, even during a subplot that could alienate some viewers.
Rom-coms have suffered in recent years, partly due to extreme artifice. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” anyone?
“The Elephant in the Room” is real. Too real, to be honest, but sometimes that’s where the best love connections begin.
HiT or Miss: “The Elephant in the Room” is a minor miracle, a politically-charged rom-com with brains and balance.