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The American President [1995]
from Universal Pictures UK
starring Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith
directed by Rob Reiner

Features:

• Dubbed
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

What sounds like a high-concept romantic comedy pitch from hell--widower president falls for smart lobbyist while the world watches--is actually intelligent, charming, touching and quite funny. Granted, it's wish fulfilment all the way (when was the last time you saw a president who was truly presidential?) but in the capable hands of writer Aaron Sorkin (TV's Sports Night) and director Rob Reiner, TheAmerican President is incredibly enjoyable entertainment with quite a few ideas about both romance and the government. Michael Douglas stars as the president, who after three years in office starts thinking about the possibility of dating. When he auspiciously encounters cutthroat environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), sparks begin to crackle and the two begin a tentative but heartfelt romance. Of course, his job gets in the way--their first kiss is interrupted by a Libyan bombing--but darn it if these two kids aren't going to try and make it work! However, they hadn't counted on the president's Republican antagonist (Richard Dreyfuss), who starts carping about family values. The predictable plot--Douglas finally goes to bat for his lady and his country--is leavened by Sorkin's wonderful, snappy dialogue and a light touch from the usually subtle-as-a-sledgehammer Reiner. Both manage to create a believable White House-office atmosphere (with a crack staff including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith and Samantha Mathis) as well as a plausible and funny dating scenario. The true success of the movie, though, rides squarely on Douglas and Bening; this is unequivocally Douglas's best comedic performance (ergo his best performance, period) and Bening, usually such a good bad girl, takes a standard career-woman role and fleshes it out magnificently. You can see in an instant why Douglas would fall for her. One of the best unsung romantic comedies of the 90s. --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Only 4 Stars?
  This film should have been awful but is nearer to a classic.
  Michael Douglas gives another top notch performance startillingly similar to all his other performances. Rather than a critisism, an acknowledgement that Michael Douglas knows what he's good at and does it very well.
  Douglas and co-star Annette Benning create the irresistable on screen chemistry and illuminate an enchanting tale.
  In reality The American President is more of a modern fairytale than realistic drama.
  Leaves... more info

• Perfect !
  American President thought mde in 1995 is brilliant for those intrested in the American polics with a funny side.This film will give anyone on a lonely night in a buz. Set in The White House about the president who falls in love with the lobbiest and has a 62% rateing which plundges to 42% in eight weeks you will see the fall that he had because of not respondng to the press. This is a good film and at the is amazon price it is worth the money

• politics and romance mixed perfectly
  Annette Benning is lovely; she exudes obvious sharp wit and political astuteness in this role but it's perfectly balanced by her senior prom-girl delight and endearing naivety at the enormity of the context of the relationship being proposed to her.
  Aaron Sorkin's screenplay shows all the rapid fire acuity and understanding of complex political argot as would be so fabulously demonstrated later in The West Wing and it's nice to see some of the actors/characters (minor and major) who would also appear... more info

• The loneliest job . . .
  This film makes a serious effort to tackle a serious subject. How far may the electorate intrude on a public figure's private life? Michael Douglas' role of Andrew Sheppard is a modern reflection of Woodrow Wilson's nearly state-secret marriage in the latter days of his presidency. Douglas' portrayal reflects an equivalent political scene, as well. Wilson struggled with the biggest issue of his day, the League of Nations. Sheppard is seeking passage of environmental legislation. Both, confronted with the... more info

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