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Amazon.co.uk Review
What sounds like a high-concept romantic comedy pitch from hell--widower president falls for smart lobbyist while the world watches--is actually intelligent, charming, touching and quite funny. Granted, it's wish fulfilment all the way (when was the last time you saw a president who was truly presidential?) but in the capable hands of writer Aaron Sorkin (TV's Sports Night) and director Rob Reiner, TheAmerican President is incredibly enjoyable entertainment with quite a few ideas about both romance and the government. Michael Douglas stars as the president, who after three years in office starts thinking about the possibility of dating. When he auspiciously encounters cutthroat environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), sparks begin to crackle and the two begin a tentative but heartfelt romance. Of course, his job gets in the way--their first kiss is interrupted by a Libyan bombing--but darn it if these two kids aren't going to try and make it work! However, they hadn't counted on the president's Republican antagonist (Richard Dreyfuss), who starts carping about family values. The predictable plot--Douglas finally goes to bat for his lady and his country--is leavened by Sorkin's wonderful, snappy dialogue and a light touch from the usually subtle-as-a-sledgehammer Reiner. Both manage to create a believable White House-office atmosphere (with a crack staff including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith and Samantha Mathis) as well as a plausible and funny dating scenario. The true success of the movie, though, rides squarely on Douglas and Bening; this is unequivocally Douglas's best comedic performance (ergo his best performance, period) and Bening, usually such a good bad girl, takes a standard career-woman role and fleshes it out magnificently. You can see in an instant why Douglas would fall for her. One of the best unsung romantic comedies of the 90s. --Mark Englehart
Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
DVD 9
Czech\French\German\Hungarian\Italian\Polish\Spanish
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Production Notes
Trailer
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\French\German\Norwegian\Portuguese\Swedish
DVD 9
Czech\French\German\Hungarian\Italian\Polish\Spanish
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Production Notes
Trailer
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\French\German\Norwegian\Portuguese\Swedish
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sharp script and great acting.,
By
This review is from: The American President [DVD] [1995] (DVD)
The writer Aaron Sorkin of 'A Few Good Men' fame has crafted yet another razor sharp script that is supported by a solid cast. The story is based around too good to be true President Andrew Shepherd (Douglas)who falls for environmental lobbyist Sydney Wade (Bening). His popularity rating falls rapidly (to the delight of evil Republican Richard Dreyfuss). Bening as always glides through the part with ease and Douglas gets a chance to show off the fact that he can actually act extremely well. He seems to get better with age. Most of the credit however must go to Martin Sheen who steals the show as the Chief of Staff. He does not do enough films for my liking. To see him at his best watch 'The West Wing' on TV (also scripted by Aaron Sorkin) which is in the same vein as 'The American President'. Michael J Fox and David Paymer are also fantastic in their supporting roles. The Director Rob Reiner keeps a good pace and manages to maintain the atmosphere throughout the film. Despite having a predictable and idealistic plot, it is a very entertaining feel good film.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
politics and romance mixed perfectly,
By Hill Walker "Pennine Dweller" (The Pennines of course!) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The American President [DVD] [1995] (DVD)
Annette Benning is lovely; she exudes obvious sharp wit and political astuteness in this role but it's perfectly balanced by her senior prom-girl delight and endearing naivety at the enormity of the context of the relationship being proposed to her.
Aaron Sorkin's screenplay shows all the rapid fire acuity and understanding of complex political argot as would be so fabulously demonstrated later in The West Wing and it's nice to see some of the actors/characters (minor and major) who would also appear in that series. Yes, the politics are clearly biased towards liberal idealism (the press room speech is excellent and reminds me of something similar in The Contender) but who wants to watch a depiction of a right wing administration? The real thing's too horrible to experience although I'm sure it would make interesting viewing. Benning and Douglas are well cast in terms of their realistic and believable respective ages and the potential for what would have to be a truly romantic (and ultimately sexual) chemistry. Douglas delivers a very effective and engagingly appealing imperiousness which works well. Fox is great as a younger man with such a high responsibility. I had to keep pinching myself that Sheen's not Bartlett! First time I watched the film he just looked wrong but I got used to it. Easily takes repeat viewing to fully appreciate the large number of little gems Sorkin's worked into the dialogue. Super film
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The loneliest job . . .,
By Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: American President [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
This film makes a serious effort to tackle a serious subject. How far may the electorate intrude on a public figure's private life? Michael Douglas' role of Andrew Sheppard is a modern reflection of Woodrow Wilson's nearly state-secret marriage in the latter days of his presidency. Douglas' portrayal reflects an equivalent political scene, as well. Wilson struggled with the biggest issue of his day, the League of Nations. Sheppard is seeking passage of environmental legislation. Both, confronted with the need to compromise, are in vulnerable positions. As so often with American politics, the public are led by unscrupulous politicians to overlook serious issues and target incumbents with tainted personal considerations. Wilson scandalized America with his marriage. Even later historians credited Mrs Wilson with forcing policies she favoured through an ill, weakened president. Douglas carries his role quite suitably. He's a far cry from the austere Wilson, portraying Sheppard with a Kennedyesque panache. He amply demonstrates what a president must endure in having vital legislation adopted. The "Crime Bill" episode is reminiscent of the Kennedy brothers' efforts to curb Mafia power in the 1960s. There is just enough of the daughter's presence to keep that issue before us, but the apparent limited age distance between her and Bening makes one wonder what this would to after the Banns are published. Douglas' initial efforts to court Bening superbly demonstrate the constraints the world's most powerful figure operates in, the florist call being one of the finer sequences. Reiner is able to balance the personal with the political. Bening's presence is more commanding than a legislative document, but her performance as a lobbyist is strong enough to keep the real issue before us. The screenplay falls just short of being truly expressive on issues. That may come, someday. Michael J. Fox and Martin Sheen [especially the latter] turn in strong performances as presidential advisors. Sheen is vividly realistic as the long-term counsel, but Fox comes through in a climatic scene urging Sheppard to reverse an attitude. Richard Dreyfuss, however, turns in a very special performance as the petty-minded Kansas senator. Whether this is Reiner's personal assault on Bob Dole is irrelevant. Reiner deftly exposes how low American politics can sink in the hands of the uncaring. The contrast is vividly displayed in Douglas' lament over the innocent people he must destroy in exercising policy curbing terrorism. He carries it off with fine credibility. In the last analysis, this is a film worth having and re-viewing. It has a timeless quality, reflecting the feeling of hope we once had about what a human being a president could be. Perhaps it will come again. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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