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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]

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Release:

Aug 31, 1999

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The American President

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1 - 20 (sorted by source)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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

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

No review available.

comment Comment
12/26/04
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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

Essentially a by-the-numbers Hollywood romance in the dopiest melodramatic tradition.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Wade Major
Wade Major
Boxoffice Magazine

Great entertainment.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Leve, divertido e gratificante.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
05/31/02
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

Charming but flawed leftist romantic comedy.

Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
01/01/00
Madeleine Williams
Madeleine Williams
Cinematter

No review available.

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

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

Apart from its too-obvious political bias, The American President has romance in its heart, smarts in abundance and class to spare.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
01/01/00
Susan Stark
Susan Stark
Detroit News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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

comment Comment
04/03/05
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

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

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

comment Comment
10/08/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

The American President will make you laugh and make you smile. But it probably won't make you change your vote.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Sean Means
Sean Means
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

You can't dislike this movie, but you won't be swept away by it either.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Tom Keogh
Tom Keogh
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Painless fun.

comment Comment
01/01/00
John Hartl
John Hartl
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

When it comes right down to it, high office does not guarantee high comedy.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Susan Rathke
Susan Rathke
Film.com

The American President becomes a pretty darn entertaining and affecting movie after its first simpering 20 minutes.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Paula Nechak
Paula Nechak
Film.com
 
 
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