The American President (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'The American President', directed by Rob Reiner, has an ingenious premise: a saddened, widowed U.S. president falls in love with a lobbyist. This film is not groundbreaking or brilliant, but it's very good, often funny, & well-acted. The setting is Washington D.C.. It's an election year (oh boy), & the incumbent President, Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), is counting on his crime bill to push him over the top in the polls. His approval rating is quite high already (has been for a long time), & his opponent, Senate Minority Leader Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss), is on shaky ground. Rumson can't possibly bring up Shepherd's character (or lack thereof) because Shepherd is a widower with a young daughter; political insiders believe that personal attacks will not serve him well. It looks like Shepherd has this in the bag. So all Rumson can do is hone his qualities, & wait to see if President Shepherd makes any critical mistakes.
And, unfortunately, it wouldn't be long for that to happen. The mistake: political activist and Global Defense representative Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening) not only attracts Shepherd's support for a pro-environment cause/bill, but attracts Shepherd (on a romantic level), as well. And after a few unsuccessful (yet amusing attempts), the hard-hitting Sydney finally agrees to accompany him as a 'date' to an official state dinner for the visiting President of France. By morning, all the papers refer to her as the President's girlfriend. And the scheming Rumson has the ammunition he needs to attack. What ensues is a not-so-original story of man gets woman, man loses woman, man tries all ways in which to get woman back. The unique part of this not-so-original story, is that the setting is the White House. And the intrigue of that setting goes a long way with this movie.
Politics & the Media. American cinema can really tear these to shreds when they want to. I wouldn't say that necessarily happens here (too politically correct), but Rob Reiner still makes some fun observations. Largely, 'The American President' leans more on cute humor & broad romance to appeal to its audience; not with scathing wits concerning politics. And that's fine; because Douglas, Bening, & the rest of the cast (Dreyfuss, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, David Paymer, Samantha Harris, Shawna Waldron) are up to task of providing strong entertainment. And I also must praise the production team that re-created the physical world of the White House is incredible. Not only the interiors, but the bustling that goes on in the myriad of rooms or down lengthy corridors (fast-walking men in suits & women in heels; quick-tongued dialogue, & a flurry of daily topics that must be dealt with).
Something else that 'The American President' has going for it is its unabashed old-fashioned-ness; the kind of movie that will please a variety of audiences: young & old, mainstream & arty. You've got your basic story, nifty editing, stellar writing (with good one-liners, delivered well by likeable actors), great White House design, broad characterizations, & a happy ending. As mentioned, it's not as edgy as it could have been (political satire), & some of the plot points are a bit silly (including a gun control speech by Shepherd). But you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who openly hates this film. I believed Michael Douglas as a charismatic President. And Annette Bening is entirely winning as Sydney. I liked their chemistry. And I'll look back on this film fondly; even years from now.
And, unfortunately, it wouldn't be long for that to happen. The mistake: political activist and Global Defense representative Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening) not only attracts Shepherd's support for a pro-environment cause/bill, but attracts Shepherd (on a romantic level), as well. And after a few unsuccessful (yet amusing attempts), the hard-hitting Sydney finally agrees to accompany him as a 'date' to an official state dinner for the visiting President of France. By morning, all the papers refer to her as the President's girlfriend. And the scheming Rumson has the ammunition he needs to attack. What ensues is a not-so-original story of man gets woman, man loses woman, man tries all ways in which to get woman back. The unique part of this not-so-original story, is that the setting is the White House. And the intrigue of that setting goes a long way with this movie.
Politics & the Media. American cinema can really tear these to shreds when they want to. I wouldn't say that necessarily happens here (too politically correct), but Rob Reiner still makes some fun observations. Largely, 'The American President' leans more on cute humor & broad romance to appeal to its audience; not with scathing wits concerning politics. And that's fine; because Douglas, Bening, & the rest of the cast (Dreyfuss, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, David Paymer, Samantha Harris, Shawna Waldron) are up to task of providing strong entertainment. And I also must praise the production team that re-created the physical world of the White House is incredible. Not only the interiors, but the bustling that goes on in the myriad of rooms or down lengthy corridors (fast-walking men in suits & women in heels; quick-tongued dialogue, & a flurry of daily topics that must be dealt with).
Something else that 'The American President' has going for it is its unabashed old-fashioned-ness; the kind of movie that will please a variety of audiences: young & old, mainstream & arty. You've got your basic story, nifty editing, stellar writing (with good one-liners, delivered well by likeable actors), great White House design, broad characterizations, & a happy ending. As mentioned, it's not as edgy as it could have been (political satire), & some of the plot points are a bit silly (including a gun control speech by Shepherd). But you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who openly hates this film. I believed Michael Douglas as a charismatic President. And Annette Bening is entirely winning as Sydney. I liked their chemistry. And I'll look back on this film fondly; even years from now.