The Reagans (2003)

This was not a great movie, but it was absorbing and kept my attention. It bordered on campy at times. It actually could have used four episodes to tell the entire story of the Reagans, and should have covered his after White House life. His diagnosis of Alzheimers and his dramatic admission would have made for further good viewing. The story may have had a "leftward" slant at times, but overall I thought the portrait of the Reagans was sympathetic. Reagan could be cold to his children, but warmhearted toward others. He didn't like conflict and both he and Nancy were socially tolerant, having cut their teeth in show business. Reagan did have a great sense of humor which comes through and lightens the tone. Looking back, it now seems quaint that this movie was so controversial at the time.

No matter how you feel about this production you should see it before you "trash it". Nancy in this movie comes across fine! She does love her husband! To me everybody should be loved like this! She was his protector! She was always looking out what was best for him. In the long run this caused emotional distance between all of "Reagan's" children. Now this is not a perfect movie not by a long shot however you come away from it seeing that Nancy did what Nancy wanted but did it for love. Judy Davis does a great job as Nancy. James Brolin WOW great job. As far as the children they are shown like this: "Maureen" bland and no life. "Michael Reagan" as stupid brat and always in some sort of trouble. "Patty Davis" yes a rebel but please remember she was child of the 1960's. Who wasn't a rebel in the 1960's! "Ron Reagan Jr" well they seem to hint at certain things. Its ashamed that CBS did not show this. After I finished it I respected Ronald & Nancy Reagan more than ever.

What were they thinking when they wrote about this President. And what were they thinking when they got James Brolin to do the acting. The acting was so terrible that I thought this was a joke. When I realized they were serious, it just made me sad than mad. They made Ronald Regan like a blundering idot, and his wife like a Hillary Clinton, He was one of the greatest presidents of our time and never got the credit he deserved. I just hope all the people involved in this garbage can sleep at night. Maybe next time stepford Brolin will listen more to his own instincts than someone else before he takes on a job like this.

Spoilers. I believed this would be a left wing hatch job. This wasn't, well the ending notes where a bit too much. Instead, we have a realistic portrayal. Who has the perfect family, or never makes mistake is not a real person. There were a few shots in the movie, but other parts probably happened. The movie showed the human and kind side to Ron, and how Nancy loved him so much. The dark side to Nancy, and the kids, along with the real life human infighting at the white house is real. I bet the Clinton's would be hit a little less hard from some in the media, I like watching hard hitting, more real life shows. This brought some interest too the subject of a great president. 7 out of 10 PS I bet some of the events which was unbelievable probably happened, while other believable events were dramatized.