As with all films, there are several plots woven into “The Congressman,” but there is really only one question posed by the film: what is the definition of being an American. A provocative question in our current political climate and presidential campaigns.

Maine Congressman Charlie Winship (Treat Williams) is branded a “pledge dodger” after being photographed during a session on Capitol Hill with his feet up on a desk rather than standing, hand over heart, with the rest of the House.

The photograph goes viral. The media goes rabid in its dogged pursuit of Winship over, as reporter Holly Dean (Cindy Lentol), calls it “dissing” the Pledge and of being a Nazi sympathizer, because of his explanation, and demonstration, of the Bellamy salute that children did after pledging allegiance to their country. The stiff-armed salute, being the same used by Hitler and his Nazi regime, prompts Congress to begin proceedings to remove Winship from his seat.

And, as it turns out, Winship's aide, Jared Barnes (Ryan Merriman) is after his job, which has been promised to him by Laird Devereaux (George Hamilton – and, yes, he's still tanned), who wants old Charlie gone. Devereaux is also a member of an international conglomerate fanning a feud between the lobstermen of Catatonk Island (Monhegan) and the lobstermen from the mainland to take over the grounds. Devereaux sees Barnes as being more malleable than Winship in this and future causes.

Scenario two: Winship has put off a trip to Catatonk Island for quite some time, but now with the media frenzy and public fury a constant over his shoulder, and his recent divorce, now seems a pretty good time to go. Accompanied by Barnes (who has secretly agreed to help fry Winship's goose) they head out in the midst of the heated battle going on between the two factions of lobstermen.

Scenario three: his relationships with his former wife, Casey (Jayne Atkinson) and new love interest on Catatonk, Rae Blanchard (Elizabeth Marvel), the daughter of a lobsterman and native of the island. Through the only meaningful conversation shared by the former married couple in the film it is clear that the demise of their union was the result of Winship's love of service: first as soldier, later as Congressman. Winship has a mobile office in his Maine hometown where he meets with constituents 45 Saturdays of every year.

The scene in the film at the mobile office with Barnes, right before leaving for the island, is terrific. Lots of complaints about kids, about teaching kids about sex in schools, about kids being destructive … One female complainant, while in an agitated state, uses a sex ed, um, “tool” - she found (I forget where) to make a point. I'll say no more …

Winship and Barnes travel to the island aboard Sea Hag - belonging to one of Catatonk's female lobster fishers. Upon arrival, they see armed lobstermen on the dock - the night before one of the island lobstermen was killed – a precautionary measure. Lobsterman Sherm Hawkins (Marshall Bell) explains the situation to the “D.C.'ers:” since 1614 the waters within a five-mile radius of Catatonk have been exclusively the waters of the island lobster/fishermen.

Hawkins said that since the mainland fishermen over fished their own waters they had been infringing on the island fishermen's waters; the ocean draggers had taken all the cod, tuna and halibut.

The island fishermen were standing firm: they would defend their exclusive rights to those waters with their lives for it was from within those waters their livelihood could be found.

Both Winship and Barnes experience a personal transformation during their overnight on the island. And, those of us who have been to Catatonk/Monhegan, whether for a day, a week, a month or a year, have experienced its magic – it is completely believable. Thanks to the island, and his evening with Rae, who suggests maybe it's time for Winship to “hang up his armor,” Winship is recharged and ready to “fight the good fight;” Barnes gets out of his ambitious suits and onto a lobster boat (not really willingly) and learns about the “real” lives of some of the regular people those in Washington D.C. are there to represent, and what it means to be truly helping those in need.

“The Congressman” was written by Robert Mrazek, Vietnam vet, former congressman from New York, a summer resident of Monhegan for decades.

In a previous interview with Mrazek while the movie was still being filmed, he recalled the “battle” between Monhegan lobstermen in the late 1990s and other Maine lobstermen laying traps in what was Monhegan's exclusive two-mile lobster zone from the mainland.

“It took three years for the island lobstermen and community to maintain the exclusivity of their “zone.” It was the context for the story I've written. I remember it was very confrontational and involved the sinking of boats and cutting of trap lines,” Mrazek said. “But it led to the Monhegan lobstermen going to Augusta and having their common law fishing grounds certified as their own.”

Treat Williams is dynamite as Congressman Charlie Winship. In his closing speech, as he faces his constituents, neighbors and friends of his hometown, Williams' impassioned monologue is compelling. The character is very much a reflection of Mrazek who is known for being very passionate about freedom of expression, courage, honor and sacrifice … values he believes “were intrinsic in making the United States great.”

All of the actors deliver credible, honest performances. There are islanders in the film – including the well-known Josh Mostel (so OBVIOUSLY the son of Zero).

I have to say it was fun to see a film taking place on an island I am so familiar with – and so will you. When they are nearing the island anticipation rises, when Winship walks into the “Catatonk” Library – I immediately picked up the scent of the building and the books it contains. Seeing “The Congressman” might just elicit the same responses from you – perhaps even more ...

The film opens tonight, Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. with other showings at the same time on Saturday, May 14, Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19. There is a 2 p.m. show on Sunday, May 15. The Q&A with the director had to be canceled due to a family situation.