Reagan movie review

MOVIE TITLE:  Reagan

This inspirational drama about the 40^th president of the United States is now playing in theaters.

RATING:  PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 21 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE:  A-

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

If you want to learn more about Ronald Reagan, check out this documentary on Amazon Prime:  https://amzn.to/4egsFu7

IN A NUTSHELL:

Ronald Regan was one of the rare politicians that was well respected from both sides of the political aisle.  Unfortunately, liberal film critics today are having a hard time seeing the good in this film due to their own bias.  The movie isn’t a Christian film; however, Conservatives have been embracing it because Reagan discussed his faith several times in the film and in real life.

The film was directed by Sean McNamara, and written by Howard Klausner.

THINGS I LIKED:

• Dennis Quaid was hesitant to play the legendary Ronald Reagan.  Those are big shoes to fill.  He did a really great job!  There are many times you’ll be impressed with how much he looks like Ronald Regan!  Dennis Quaid just turned 70 years old when the movie was released.  Ronald Regan turned 70 years old a month after becoming president of the United States.
• Fun fact #1:  Dennis Quaid also played U.S. President Bill Clinton in The Special Relationship in 2010.
• Penelope Ann Miller and Eloisa Huggins who play mother and daughter in the film are actually mother and daughter in real life!
• The entire cast does a great job and includes Mena Suvari, Jon Voight, C. Thomas Howell, Lesley-Anne Down, Kevin Sorbo, Olek Krupa, David Henrie, and Robert Davi.  During the production of the film, they had a Covid outbreak among the crew.
• Fun fact #2:  The movie was shot in several cities in Oklahoma.  The Oklahoma City Capitol Building was used as the United States Capitol Building.  The Temple of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Guthrie was transformed to be The White House.
• Pat Boone is represented in one of the scenes in the movie.  He actually appears in the scene as Reverend George Otis.
• The movie does a wonderful job illustrating the real-life deep romance Ronald and Nancy Reagan had during their lifetime, something not often seen in movies.  Biopics are notorious for showing volatile marriages.
• We see a lot of newspaper headlines, images, and video clips from real-life events that effectively pull us into history.
• Narrating the film from a retired Russian spy voiced by Jon Voight was an interesting way to tell the story.
• I loved the relationship the movie showed between Reagan and Tip O’Neill.  It was a good example of how people can still be friends even if they disagree politically.  Many years ago, back when I was a Legislative Assistant for a Congressman in Washington, D.C., I met Tip O’Neill and got a huge hug from him, which was a little odd but also really kind.  He was the Speaker of the House at the time.  It was a good example to me of the quote, “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.”
• The film does a good job hitting the highlights of Reagan’s life.  I love that it pictured a president who completely understood that he was a servant of the people.
• We learn that Ronald Reagan’s favorite movie of all time was The Sound of Music.  Good choice!  What’s yours?
• That epic moment when Reagan boldly demanded, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” gave me goosebumps in real life, as well as while watching the movie.
• President Reagan, himself, would have loved that the movie ended with him riding off into the sunset on a horse with his cowboy hat on.  It’s a bit cheesy but perfect for him.
• Keep watching during the rolling credits to see more actual footage of Reagan.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Some of the de-aging effects on certain characters was a bit distracting.
• Some have complained that the film glosses over any weaknesses or character flaws in Reagan.  I disagree.  He even talks about them himself in the movie.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Most kids will be bored.
• Alcohol and cigarettes
• A man gets shot
• We see someone at a funeral.
• Portrayal of kid and adult bullying
• Talk of Communism and Alzheimer’s

THEMES:

• Politics
• Communism
• Freedom
• Reaganomics
• Economy
• Actors
• Marriage
• Ambition
• The power of words and freedom

FUNNY LINES:

• “How can I talk to them if they keep dying on me?” – Ronald Reagan talking about Russian leaders
• “I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign.  I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” – Ronald Reagan    (Notice in the clip that even Walter Mondale, Reagan’s opponent, laughed at that one!

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Our destiny is not our fate.  It is our choice.” – Ronald Reagan  (Dennis Quaid)
• “Is there anything worse than an actor with a cause?” – Jane Wyman  (Mena Suvari)
• “We’re all damaged goods, Ronny.” – Nancy Reagan  (Penelope Ann Miller)
• “I just want to do something good in this world…make a difference.” – Ronald Reagan  (Dennis Quaid)
• “It’s really hard to make a difference in this life if you have to do it alone.” – Nancy Reagan  (Penelope Ann Miller)
• “Communism is the absolute enemy of freedom.” – Ronald Reagan  (Dennis Quaid)

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Thirteen Days:  https://amzn.to/3ZhR1j9
• Darkest Hour:  https://moviereviewmom.com/darkest-hour-will-probably-win-gary-oldman-an-oscar/
• The Butler:  https://moviereviewmom.com/martin-luther-king-would-have-loved-the-movie-the-butler/

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