The American President

1995

The American President (1995)

TOMATOMETER

91%
89%

Critic 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.

AUDIENCE SCORE

77%

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Movie Info

How does the widowed leader of the free world balance his many obligations to his country with the ordinary demands and everyday rites of courtship? When President Andrew Shepherd, quite unexpectedly, falls in love with Sydney Wade, an environmental lobbyist, he must overcome obstacles not faced by average citizens; he must worry that the public's right to know will collide with the desire for personal privacy. He must contend with approval ratings, an inquiring press and an aggressive political opponent just to go on a date. The President's advisors, chief of staff, domestic policy advisor, White House pollster and press secretary help him get through his busy schedule, deal with demands of congress and quell any global predicaments. But political crises are different than personal ones and somehow the American President alone must find a way to balance his love for his country with his love for an incredible woman.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for some strong language.)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Rob Reiner
  • Written By:
    Aaron Sorkin
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Columbia Pictures

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Cast

Michael Douglas
as Andrew Shepherd
Annette Bening
as Sydney Ellen Wade
Martin Sheen
as A.J. MacInerney
Michael J. Fox
as Lewis Rothschild
David Paymer
as Leon Kodak
Samantha Mathis
as Janie Basdin
Richard Dreyfuss
as Sen. Robert Rumson
Anna Deavere Smith
as Robin McCall
Shawna Waldron
as Lucy Shepherd
Anne Haney
as Mrs. Chapil
Nina Siemaszko
as Beth Wade
Wendie Malick
as Susan Sloan
Beau Billingslea
as Agent Cooper
Gail Strickland
as Esther MacInerney
Joshua Malina
as David
Clement von Franckenstein
as President D'Astier
Efrat Lavie
as Madame D'Astier
John Mahoney
as Leo Solomon
Taylor Nichols
as Stu
John Mahon
as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
Tom Dahlgren
as Defense Secretary
Ralph Meyering Jr.
as General
Kurt A. Boesen
as Security Advisor
Joseph Latimore
as Secret Service Agent
Darryl Alan Reed
as Secret Service Agent
Andrew Steel
as Secret Service Agent
Steve Gonzales
as Hud Secretary
Jordan Lund
as Carl
Richard McGonagle
as Rumson Staffer
Frank Cavestani
as Rumson Staffer
Richard Stahl
as Rumson Staffer
Mathew Saks
as Congressional Staffer
Alice Kushida
as Carol
Renee Phillips
as Lisa
Beans Morocco
as Doorkeeper
Kathryn Ish
as Education Secretary
Kamilah Martin
as Flower Girl
Leslie Bega
as White House Staffer Laura
Augie Blunt
as Groundskeeper
Thom Barry
as Guard
Steven Gonzalez
as Hud Secretary
Gabriel Jarret
as Jeff
Karen Maruyama
as Leo's Secretary
Nancy Kandal
as Leslie
George Murdock
as Congressman
Bernie McInerney
as Congressman Millman
Jack Gilroy
as Congressman Pennybaker
Matthew Saks
as Congressional Staffer
Googy Gress
as Gil
Ron Canada
as Reporter Lloyd
Brian Pietro
as Reporter
Rick Garcia
as Reporter
Aaron Sorkin
as Aide in Bar
Kymberly S. Newberry
as Sally
Greg Poland
as Mark
Leslie Rae Bega
as White House Staffer Laura
Jennifer Crystal
as White House Staffer Maria
Arthur Senzy
as Deputy
Nick Toth
as White House Aide
Jorge Noa
as White House Aide
Maud Winchester
as White House Aide
Jeffrey Anderson
as TV News Anchorman
Suzanne Michaels
as TV News Anchorwoman
Mark Thompson
as Kenneth Michaels
David Drew Gallagher
as New Guy
Todd Odom
as Uniformed Secret Service Agent
Michael G. Alexander
as Color Guard Officer
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Critic Reviews for The American President

All Critics (53) | Top Critics (18)

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

Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
Time Out
Top 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 | Rating: 3.5/5
New York Times
Top Critic

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

Feb 13, 2001 | Full Review…
Variety
Top Critic

Genial and entertaining if not notably inspired.

Feb 13, 2001 | Full Review…
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic

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

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic

Frothy.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Washington Post
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (53)

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.

Sanjay Rema
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! :) :) :) :)

Cassie Hill
Cassie Hill

Super Reviewer

½

Netflix said I'd give it 5 stars...They almost got it right.

Flutie Archibald
Flutie Archibald

Super Reviewer

A funny and tender romance movie with a cracking script from Aaron Sorkin. Full review later.

Thomas Bowler
Thomas Bowler

Super Reviewer

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