Director Rob Reiner strikes a good balance between drama and old-fashioned love with Douglas and Bening suitably understated in their roles.
The American President (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:47
Fresh:42
Rotten:5
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: A charming romantic comedy with political bite, Rob Reiner's American President features strong lead performances and some poignant observations of politics and media in the 1990s.
Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins 3 secs
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) is a handsome, youthful widower and a dedicated Democrat raising a teenage daughter. He also just happens to be the president of the United States of America, and... Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) is a handsome, youthful widower and a dedicated Democrat raising a teenage daughter. He also just happens to be the president of the United States of America, and a very popular one at that. Unfortunately, he's also quite lonely, and the life of a president leaves little time for dating. But when he meets luminous lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), he's instantly smitten and impulsively (and somewhat awkwardly) asks her out to a state dinner. Shocked and highly uncertain of what she's getting into, Sydney accepts his invitation, and the courting process begins--to the unrelenting delight of the media. The chief executive's protective staff, however, isn't so sure the romance is a good thing, particularly when political paparazzi capture Sydney spending the night in the presidential bedroom. While intriguing to the press, the affair spells trouble in the form of Republican presidential hopeful Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss), who uses the romance to attack Shepherd's supposed lack of family values and moral instincts. Rumson's ploy works--Shepherd's popularity plummets, weakening his reelection bid, his hand on Capitol Hill, and ultimately threatening his relationship with Sydney. If Shepherd salvages his political career, will it be at the expense of Sydney's love? [More]
Starring: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox
Starring: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Richard Dreyfuss, Samantha Mathis, David Paymer, Anna Deavere Smith
Director: Rob Reiner
Director: Rob Reiner
Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin
Reviews for The American President
Genial middlebrow fare that coasts a long way on the charm of its two stars.
Simplistic, full of stock characters and easy solutions to difficult problems, and I absolutely loved it.
Michael Douglas is plausible as president, and he delivers yet another solid, if unmemorable performance.
as the 1995 film veers away from the romance, into definable (and dated) political issues, it loses some of its magic.
'Capraesque' has inevitably been affixed to The American President, but that phrase, with its implications of facile hokum, doesn't do the film justice.
Good romantic comedy. Some funny irreverence about the White House, and a well-meaning political message.
Registers as a polished and delightful romantic comedy about soulmates.
With great looks, a dandy supporting cast, a zinger-filled screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and Mr. Douglas twinkling merrily in the Oval Office, The American President is sunny enough to make the real Presidency pale by comparison.
The casting is inspired, with uniformly crisp performances all around.
A shrewd new depiction of 'office sex,' as well as an utterly positive view of the idea that a president's character is important.
Latest News for The American President
July 13, 2007:
Spielberg and Sorkin Pair Up For '60s Protest Flick
When one of the most celebrated writers in Hollywood teams up with one of the greatest directors who ever lived -- I bet a few good movies might be the result. More...
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