The American President
★★★★★
It could be easy to get wrapped up in the implausibility of The American President's story, but Aaron Sorkin's script paints a beautiful fairy tale with a behind-the-scenes look of politics as the driving force. I'm sure there are some discrepancies that true historians could pick apart, but this movie reminds me of the black-and-white Frank Capra classics that I adore. It's a film about the importance of doing the right thing even when it may not be the easiest thing to do. It doesn't hurt the film that Michael Douglas (President Andrew Shepherd) and Annette Bening (Sydney Ellen Wade) have amazing chemistry and the relationship that quickly grows between the two is both natural and sweet.
Sorkin has always been known for his dialogue, and it's the standout here. It's a masterclass in not talking down to the audience, but brings a gravitas to every character that speaks it. Everybody plays an important part to this story and gets their shining moment. Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Richard Dreyfuss and the whole ensemble are wonderful, and as a West Wing fan, it's super fun to the seeds of a concept that would change the landscape of both television and how dramas were made. Director Rob Reiner may not be known for his amazing camerawork, but he knows how to create a welcoming environment that always seems comfortable and familiar. He stages the characters perfectly and never lets the story drag. I will admit the montages are a bit cheesy, but once again, it reminded me of the classic romantic films that America has come to love.
The American President is a lovely, funny, dramatic, inspirational story rolled into one idealistic political framework. I can be a cynical person and Sorkin is the best at letting you shed that facade and believe in the best of people and dare I say it... our government. This is one of my wife's favorite films and I have absolutely no argument for it not being that for her or anyone else's.
