Barry Levinson’s ‘Bucks County, USA’ explores deep political divides in a New Jersey town

Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson has released a new documentary series titled ‘Bucks County, USA,’ which investigates the profound political fissures within a single New Jersey town. The production offers a compelling yet often frustrating look at how community divides manifest in everyday life.

The narrative follows two teenage best friends, Evi and Vanessa, who share a close bond characterized by overlapping speech and shared interests. Evi is described as a boisterous musical theater enthusiast with red hair, while Vanessa is noted for her darker hair and disposition. Despite their strong personal connection, their household dynamics reveal contrasting political alignments.

Evi’s home environment reflects values that fall left of the typical liberal spectrum in the United States. Her mother, Lela, actively supports LGBTQ+ students during local school board meetings and advocates for the inclusion of fact-based history in the curriculum. In contrast, Vanessa’s father, Paul Martino, identifies as a right-leaning venture capital investor. Martino claims to have deployed $500,000 to influence local campaigns and install preferred school board members, a strategy he initiated following his dissatisfaction with school closures attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic.