Opening

87% Star Trek Into Darkness May 16
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—— Populaire May 17
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Coming Soon

—— The Hangover Part III May 23
77% Fast & Furious 6 May 24
—— Epic May 24
94% Before Midnight May 24

The American President (1995)

tomatometer

90

Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 51
Fresh: 46 | Rotten: 5

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.

89

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Critic Reviews: 19
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 2

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.

audience

71

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 53,824

My Rating

Movie Info

This earnest, intelligent, and well-written romantic comedy is enjoyable and optimistic in classic Hollywood style, even if its idealism doesn't seem quite so credible against the cynical political backdrop of the Nineties. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), an unabashedly liberal Democrat, is just gearing up for re-election when he meets an attractive and sharp environmental lobbyist named Sydney Wade (Annette Bening). The two fall in love and the President must soon deal with the

PG-13,

Drama, Romance, Comedy

Aaron Sorkin

Aug 31, 1999

Columbia Pictures

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All Critics (51) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (5) | DVD (7)

Part romantic comedy, part Capra-corny political drama, this movie exudes so much sympathy, it sweats.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times
New York Times
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Genial and entertaining if not notably inspired.

February 13, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
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Genial middlebrow fare that coasts a long way on the charm of its two stars.

February 13, 2001 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Great entertainment.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comment (1)
Chicago Sun-Times
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You can't dislike this movie, but you won't be swept away by it either.

January 1, 2000
Film.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Light, fluffy romantic comedy, well acted by Michael Douglas.

May 4, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

Witty, wise, and idealized political romance.

December 18, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

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

June 14, 2007

A potentially good adult romance is undone by a preachy left-wing agenda.

October 8, 2005 | Comments (3)
Fantastica Daily

Sorkin starts his West Wing warm-up with a winning political rom-com.

April 3, 2005
eFilmCritic.com

Glorious romantic comedy.

August 7, 2004 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com
TheMovieReport.com

Predictable and PC, but fun.

April 3, 2004
WaffleMovies.com

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

July 14, 2003
About.com

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

May 20, 2003
Palo Alto Weekly

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.

March 27, 2003 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope
Laramie Movie Scope

So-so fantasy about what a more courageous Bill Clinton might have been like.

December 13, 2002
New Times

Audience Reviews for The American President

This is a very good romantic dramedy. Douglas and Bening put on fine performances and display great chemistry. It is Sorkin's screenplay, however, that makes the movie great. Sorkin does a great job every time he picks up a pen, and this is no exception.
June 17, 2012
Sanjay Rema

Super Reviewer

From the moment that Douglas & Bening meet in the oval office you know that this is going to be a movie that you'll want to watch over & over again to watch the romance, Sheen & Douglas at their best & Michael J. Fox as Douglas's annoying partner that you love. I'm so happy that I finally got to watch this movie!!! :) I love it! :) A must see! :) One of the greatest films of all-time! :) :) :) :)
December 1, 2008
movieguru12
Cassie Hill

Super Reviewer

    1. Sydney Ellen Wade: How'd you finally do it?
    2. President Andrew Shepherd: Do what?
    3. Sydney Ellen Wade: Manage to give a woman flowers and be president at the same time.
    4. President Andrew Shepherd: Well it turns out, I've got a rose garden.
    – Submitted by Hunter I (23 months ago)
    1. Robin McCall: Fellas, we haven't slept in three years. Can't we forget about work for one night and take a moment to enjoy each other as friends? It's Christmas.
    2. Lewis Rothschild: It's Christmas?
    3. Leon Kodak: Yeah. You didn't get the memo?
    – Submitted by Hunter I (23 months ago)

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