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Movies / On DVD / The American President
The American President

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The American President (1995)

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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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The American President

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Director Rob Reiner strikes a good balance between drama and old-fashioned love with Douglas and Bening suitably understated in their roles.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
01/01/00
Almar Haflidason
Almar Haflidason
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Genial middlebrow fare that coasts a long way on the charm of its two stars.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/13/01
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Simplistic, full of stock characters and easy solutions to difficult problems, and I absolutely loved it.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Barbara Shulgasser
Barbara Shulgasser
San Francisco Examiner

Michael Douglas is plausible as president, and he delivers yet another solid, if unmemorable performance.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Peppered with terrific performances from a bevy of familiar faces.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Rob Reiner seems to have found his calling.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/12/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

A well-modulated charmer.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post

as the 1995 film veers away from the romance, into definable (and dated) political issues, it loses some of its magic.

comment Comment
06/14/07
Douglas Pratt
Douglas Pratt
DVDLaser

'Capraesque' has inevitably been affixed to The American President, but that phrase, with its implications of facile hokum, doesn't do the film justice.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edward Guthmann
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle

No review available.

comment Comment
08/01/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Good romantic comedy. Some funny irreverence about the White House, and a well-meaning political message.

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
About.com

Registers as a polished and delightful romantic comedy about soulmates.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
08/29/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
11/07/02
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Netflix

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.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
10/17/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

The casting is inspired, with uniformly crisp performances all around.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Jim Shelby
Jim Shelby
Palo Alto Weekly

A shrewd new depiction of 'office sex,' as well as an utterly positive view of the idea that a president's character is important.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

Painless fun.

comment Comment
01/01/00
John Hartl
John Hartl
Film.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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