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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
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Reviews for The American President
as the 1995 film veers away from the romance, into definable (and dated) political issues, it loses some of its magic.
Good romantic comedy. Some funny irreverence about the White House, and a well-meaning political message.
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.
While there are a lot of funny lines in the film, well-delivered by an all-star cast, the film's politics are funniest of all.
Latest News for The American President
July 13, 2007:
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