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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
Registers as a polished and delightful romantic comedy about soulmates.
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.
'Capraesque' has inevitably been affixed to The American President, but that phrase, with its implications of facile hokum, doesn't do the film justice.
Neither bad nor unwatchable, The American President is nevertheless the second straight disappointment from director Rob Reiner.
A shrewd new depiction of 'office sex,' as well as an utterly positive view of the idea that a president's character is important.
The American President is a bright, witty romantic comedy with really good dialogue, but at the same time it is a statement about politics, and about politicians, some who are idealists and some who are opportunists.
The American President becomes a pretty darn entertaining and affecting movie after its first simpering 20 minutes.
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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