Olivia Nuzzi Shares Her Favorite Thrillers from the ’70s for a Good Read
Olivia Nuzzi Speaks Out Amid Controversy Surrounding Political Relationships
Journalist and author Olivia Nuzzi has broken her silence regarding the recent controversy surrounding her relationships with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other political figures. Her comments come as her new book, American Canto, is published today by Simon & Schuster.
In an interview with Emily Sundberg’s digital publication Feed Me, Nuzzi discussed various topics, including how she has navigated the complexities of the current political landscape. "It’s definitely been challenging," she noted, reflecting on the scrutiny she has faced.
Nuzzi expressed her admiration for 1970s political thrillers directed by Alan J. Pakula, naming films such as The Parallax View, Klute, and All the President’s Men as favorites. Each film tackles different aspects of political intrigue and moral ambiguity. The Parallax View follows a reporter uncovering a secretive organization involved in political assassination, while Klute tracks a detective’s search for a missing man linked to a New York prostitute. All the President’s Men, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, chronicles the Watergate investigation.
Additionally, Nuzzi highlighted several other political films, including Primary Colors, Wag the Dog, The Candidate, and The Frontrunner. However, she surprised many by labeling Burn After Reading as "the best film about Washington ever made." This Joel and Ethan Coen-directed black comedy features two unsuspecting gym employees who mistakenly believe a former CIA analyst’s memoir contains classified government information, leading to a cascade of complications.
In her Feed Me article, Nuzzi also humorously outlined "Signs Your Book Rollout Has Gone Awry," recounting amusing anecdotes, such as her agent sending an unsolicited “I love you” text and another agent claiming to have lost three clients due to the controversy. Yet, in a twist of Hollywood irony, she mentioned that several people have suggested she pivot to screenwriting.
Nuzzi has previously found success in the television arena. While serving as Washington correspondent for New York magazine, she developed A Message From the State, a dark satirical drama set in Washington, D.C., which was sold to AMC in 2022. The series followed a young reporter who leaves mainstream media, with Nuzzi slated to co-write alongside Killing Eve executive producer Gina Mingacci. However, the project ultimately did not progress beyond the development stage.
As Nuzzi’s book launch unfolds amid ongoing scrutiny, her insights and experiences resonate with an audience keenly interested in the intersection of politics and media.
