Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for The Congress

The Congress

Seen it?

1989 | 89 min | Documentary, History

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves backroom deals and speeches and anyone who likes knowing it really happened. Power and ambition drive every scene. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves through the story clearly, at 1 hr 29 min. Short enough for a weeknight.
What might put you off
Skip it if you want made-up drama tonight.

For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country's most important and least understood institutions. In this elegant, thoughtful and often touching portrait, Ken Burns explores the history and promise of this unique American institution. Using historical photographs and newsreels, evocative live footage and interviews with David Broder, Alistair Cooke, Cokie Roberts, Charles McDowell and others, the award-winning film chronicles the personalities, events and issues that have animated the first 200 years of Congress and, in turn, our country.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 2K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Ken Burns

  • David McCulloughSelf - Writer / Narrator
  • Cokie RobertsSelf - Journalist
  • Alistair CookeSelf - Journalist
  • Arthur MillerSelf
  • Charles McDowellSelf - Newspaperman
  • Barbara FieldsSelf - Historian
  • John C. StennisSelf - Former Senator
  • David S. BroderSelf - Reporter
  • George TamesSelf - Photographer
  • James MacGregor BurnsSelf - Historian