Tribeca Film Review: ‘Mario’ Looks Reverentially at the Legendary New York Governor and His Politics of Compassion

Few politicians of their era have fascinated historians like Mario Cuomo. Here we have a popular governor, one who was a rare bright spot for the Democratic party at that point, who vocally presented an alternative path to that of Republican Ronald Reagan. And yet, he opted never to run for President of the United States. The new documentary Mario offers up a look at not just why he made that choice, but why he stood out as such a unique politician. Playing at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, it’s a very solid doc for political junkies, of which I count myself as one.

Mario is a no frills documentary, one that would come off dry if not for the humanity of its subject. The simplicity at play doesn’t detract from this look at Cuomo, but it does prevent it from likely ending up before more eyeballs. Still, anyone who is fascinated by politicians who don’t actually want to run for President will find something here to grab on to.

This is the story Mario Cuomo, a first generation American, the son of Italian immigrants, who would go on to become the Governor of New York. There, he championed a type of leadership based on compassion, one that made him an icon of liberal/progressive politics, especially as the specter of Ronald Reagan and his conservative politics take hold in America. When he gave an electric keynote speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, it felt like a run for the Presidency was imminent. Except, that never happened. Why? The documentary ponders that very question.

Helping to tell their father’s story are all of Mario’s children, so yes, we get plenty of time with both Andrew Cuomo and Chris Cuomo. Thankfully, they love their father so much, neither ever really makes it about themselves. So, especially in Andrew’s case, it’s a rare moment lately where he’s actually worth listening to. There’s also archival footage and, most interestingly, excerpts from Mario’s own personal diary, so there’s a variety in the storytelling as well.

Filmmakers George Kunhardt, Peter W. Kunhardt, and Teddy Kunhardt are reverential to Mario Cuomo, which is a double edged sword. On the one hand, they have complete access to the family and his personal archives, so there’s a lot to pull from. On the other hand, certain moments in his history are rushed by. Now, the focus on his politics of compassion and what he might have been able to do for the country if he had run and won are given their proper due, so the three Kunhardt directors know where to focus. It just ends up feeling occasionally dry and matter of fact.

Mario is a rock solid documentary here at Tribeca. Mario Cuomo as President is, along with someone like Robert F. Kennedy, one of the great what ifs in American political history. For those of you who, like yours truly, consider these sorts of things, the doc offers up plenty of food for thought. I liked it and now understand Cuomo a bit more, even if there are small elements that hold it back from being great.

SCORE: ★★★