The Florida Re-Count the Movie

The theory goes that, after time passes, one can look back and laugh at even the most painful experiences.

That theory was put to the test Tuesday night when politicians, lawyers and journalists involved in the 2000 Florida election recount gathered to see how that real-life political drama plays out in a forthcoming HBO film.

"Recount," which was written by Danny Strong and stars Kevin Spacey, Laura Dern, Denis Leary and Tom Wilkinson, was met with raucous laughter by an audience that was dominated by many of the political and media types depicted in the film.

Power brokers who attended the dinner and screening on the tented tennis court of former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee and wife Sally Quinn — among them John Kerry, Tom Brokaw and Pat Buchanan — appeared to enjoy the film, which premieres May 25 on HBO.