The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer

The action unfolds in contemporary Britain, a period when television and polling began to shape political life. The era features booming mass media, aggressive campaigning, and media-driven public discourse. The plot uses these elements to critique how campaigns can manipulate voters and institutions.

Set across Britain, it begins in a struggling British advertising agency and unfolds through the corridors of power in the capital. The scenes move between the agency, marketing campaigns, and parliamentary politics, reflecting how media and persuasion shape public life. Budleigh Moor, a parliamentary seat, figures in Rimmer's rapid ascent and ultimate political dominance.

🪄 Power

Michael Rimmer uses charisma and calculated deception to seize control of the ailing advertising agency. He rewrites how the firm speaks to the public, turning advertising into a tool for political influence. The ascent reveals how power can be built on manipulation, uncertainty, and a knack for exploiting others. The film critiques the ease with which media-savvy figures can redraw the rules to their advantage.

📺 Media Influence

Rimmer’s regular television appearances and strategic campaigns demonstrate how media exposure can elevate a person into political relevance. The film portrays advertising and TV as powerful instruments that blur the lines between business, persuasion, and policy. It shows how media narratives can manufacture a personality while shaping public expectations. Ultimately, media machinery becomes a central vehicle for political ascent.

🗳️ Democracy

The plot centers on referendums and postal/televoting as tools of mass participation. However, the constant voting breeds apathy and distraction, undermining informed decision-making. The state appears to be weakened by a flood of plebiscites that favor the manipulator’s ends. In the end, an exhausted public enables a consolidation of power.