An entertaining look at a difficult time in the life of the President Of The United States, with Martin Sheen in a prominent role, and Aaron Sorkin providing the words. Nope, it’s not “The West Wing” but it’s obvious, considering the talent involved both behind and in front of the camera, that this was certainly a springboard towards that popular television show. A look at the President not just being Presidential but also just being a human being, that’s what viewers of “The West Wing” enjoyed and that’s also the appeal of The American President.
Michael Douglas gets to play the big cheese in the White House, a President who managed to get into the position by a narrow margin but seems to be asserting a strong lead daily. He’s a widower, with a young daughter, and he’s surrounded by a staff of long-time friends (well, at least the one long-time friend in the shape of Martin Sheen) and admiring colleagues (including Samantha Mathis, David Paymer and Michael J. Fox). Sadly, the rise of his popularity starts to suffer when he begins dating a woman (Annette Bening) who actually has the job of trying to convince the President that a better policy in aid of environmental issues is required. John Mahoney plays Bening’s boss, who looks on with exasperation, and Richard Dreyfuss plays a political opponent who sees the opportunity to exploit a weakness and gain major points from voters too easily swayed by dirty tactics and gossip and character smears.
Directed by Rob Reiner, The American President moves from start to finish with a consummate professionalism and easygoing nature that makes it hard to dislike. There are no big laughs or overblown dramatics, instead viewers are treated to a cast of quality actors giving quality performances in a work of fiction that feels very much like a look at just how the same situation would pan out in real life.
Michael Douglas is very good as the President, though it’s not his best performance by a long shot, but he does even better in the scenes showing him just being a man. Whether he’s enjoying a date with Annette Bening (who is charming throughout and very, very appealing), letting out his anger at Martin Sheen (who does very well but would go on to make a much better President himself in Sorkin’s hit TV series) or causing more and more problems for Michael J. Fox (stealing every scene that he’s in). Richard Dreyfuss is suitably despicable and Mathis, Paymer, Mahoney et al are all superb.
While the movie doesn’t hit any dizzying heights or drag viewers into any dark, traumatic lows it starts off as a very good film and maintains that standard of quality right up until the end credits.
DIRECTOR: ROB REINER
WRITER: AARON SORKIN
STARS: MICHAEL DOUGLAS, ANNETTE BENING, MARTIN SHEEN, MICHAEL J. FOX, SAMANTHA MATHIS, RICHARD DREYFUSS, DAVID PAYMER, JOHN MAHONEY
RUNTIME: 114 MINS APPROX
COUNTRY: USA
Film Rating: 
