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The American President [DVD] [1995]

Michael Douglas , Annette Bening , Rob Reiner    DVD
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith
  • Directors: Rob Reiner
  • Writers: Aaron Sorkin
  • Producers: Rob Reiner, Barbara Maltby, Charles Newirth, Jeffrey Stott
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: English, French
  • Subtitles: German, English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Swiss German, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Run Time: 114 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004RYUV
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 327,529 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

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

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sharp script and great acting. 20 July 2001
Format: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.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars politics and romance mixed perfectly 30 Dec 2006
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Best feelgood movie ever 21 Jan 2006
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This is one of the best feelgood movies ever. As well as the romance between the President and the lobbyist (and Michael Douglas is more presidential than any US President ever!), it is just so FUNNY! The throwaway lines sometimes need a second or third viewing to catch all of them, especially those from Douglas as President Andrew Shepherd, Michael J Fox as Lewis Rothschild and David Paymer as Leon Kodak. And if you want an inspirational speech from a US President, listen to Andrew Shepherd's Press Conference near the end of the film. This just has to be Michael Douglas' best performance ever, the expressions on his face at time are priceless. (And Martin Sheen was brilliant too!)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Ameriacn President
Watched this one over and over. Good power game theme with M Douglas as the president and his girl friend played by Annette Bening.
Published 1 month ago by spiderman2009
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Enjoyed this film. Bit different story for Michael Douglas who is a superb actor, the acting was good and the storyline too was a little different. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. White
5.0 out of 5 stars A Feel - Good Film
Well acted. Well thought out plot. Held you from the beginning. I have watched it several times but lent mine to a friend who lent it to a friend who lent..... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Meg Hoye
4.0 out of 5 stars Good film
Good film entertaining and amusing. Disc was as new so no marks on it and no reader problems. I can recommend seller and fare.
Published 3 months ago by daxdreams
3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting...
...forerunner of The West Wing - with the same writer and several of the same stars, albeit in different roles. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Micky
5.0 out of 5 stars thank you
the best film ive seen in ages best act from both off the main actors and all the cost you not have asked ofr a better film seen it about 5 times so far will see it a lot more... Read more
Published 4 months ago by chris
5.0 out of 5 stars REGION FREE BLU-RAY?
There are loads of other reviews saying how great this film is but I just thought I'd say that I bought this from Moviemars via Amazon and it plays perfectly on my old region B UK... Read more
Published 4 months ago by hammerkop
5.0 out of 5 stars The American President
Our family have enjoyed this film very much. We thought in its way it was very similar in genre to 'Dave' which we also enjoyed. A gentle film for a rainy afternoon.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Christine L. Keeling
5.0 out of 5 stars perfection
Love rom-coms with great scripts, brilliant acting, humour, drama, wit etc? Then buy this. And if you're a fan of the great West Wing, even more reason. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dillon the Villain
5.0 out of 5 stars The American President
This is one of our favourite films.It has a strong cast and an amusing and at times serious script.Well written and well acted it is terrific entertainment. Read more
Published 7 months ago by uphillintothebreeze
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