Former staffer gives ‘Iron Man 2’ authentic Senate feel

Have you ever noticed the reality gap between Hollywood’s version of congressional hearings (tense, fast-paced and always jam-packed) and the real thing? If so, you’re not alone, and one former Capitol Hill staffer is trying to help.

The plot of “Iron Man 2,” the comic-book blockbuster that swept box offices last weekend, hinges on a scene in a fictional Senate hearing. And for once, it seems, Hollywood relied on an actual former Capitol Hill staffer.

{mosads}In order to give the film an authentic Senate feel, directors called in political strategist Todd Boudlin, who worked closely with director Jon Favreau (not to be confused with White House speechwriter Jon Favreau), as well as actors Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle to make sure the details of the hearing reflected the real personalities, language and rhythm of the upper chamber as much as possible. 

Boudlin knows what he’s talking about: During nearly a decade in politics, he worked for then-Vice President Al Gore, Rep. Jim Cooper 

(D-Tenn.) and former Rep. Bob Clement (D-Tenn.) before moving to Los Angeles in 2003 to teach at Pepperdine University. 

During an interview with ITK, Boudlin explained a few of the changes he made to “Iron Man 2.” For instance, he added lots more congressional staff, interns and pages around the senators. 

He also corrected a term used repeatedly by Downey in early versions of the script — that something be “put into the minutes” of the hearing. Moviegoers will note that Downey says, “Put this into the record” on the big screen. 

Boudlin even added cufflinks to the senators’ wardrobes. 

Despite his best efforts, Boudlin admitted there are still a few elements of the scene that don’t make sense. For example, actor Sam Rockwell stands up and walks around while giving testimony, courtroom-style. And Cheadle’s character walks into the room moments before he testifies, a big no-no in real life. 

Perhaps the most authentic character in the film is Boudlin himself, who was cast as an extra in the scene. Look for him as “Senate Aide,” on the right side of the room.