Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) did not just live in the twentieth century, he strode across it: a colossus of ideas and a man of deeds. He was a seminal public intellectual and sociologist, policy specialist, ambassador and long serving senator. Moynihan was a moralist in a political world where morality — the urge to do good — is often overcome by the desire to do well.

Over the years, Moynihan’s work has frequently been misinterpreted by political partisans. In Moynihan, figures including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Henry Kissinger — give insight into this “connoisseur of statistics” who served four presidents. The film offers a timely perspective on today’s debates over issues that Moynihan began tackling 50 years ago.

“A documentary that takes the full, fascinating measure of the charismatic maverick that Moynihan was.” – Variety