The Reagans

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.

In the aftermath of Reagan's passing, the entire media is hurriedly engaged in rewriting the truth about this highly-flawed but interesting man. Virtually all of his significant errors, short-comings, and failures are being sanitized, and as his canonization completes itself the myths that remains will be a sham. Every citizen who values the truth should buy this DVD now and watch it before it disappears, just like the truths it reveals are disappearing.

In this remarkably factual production we learn about Reagan the actor, capable and pleasant. We also learn that he snitched off his pals to the HUAC. We learn that during the war he made movies in Culver City for the Army, and later had trouble finding work, finally winding up as GE's spokesman for Death Valley Days on Television, a medium he always held in contempt.

We watch his disdain for the IRS grow as his income skyrockets, and how it matures into a complete repudiation of the Federal Government. And as his resentment of the Federal Government grows, we witness how the shadowy rich seduce him into becoming their tax-cutting puppet, from the Governship of California through 2 terms in the White House.

Most importantly, we learn the truth about the most dysfunctional family ever to inhabit the White House, based largely on Reagan's shocking disinterest in his own flesh and blood.

Mainly, however, we learn the truth about Nancy. Let's just say that the truth as it is revealed here eclipses everything that you though you knew about this shrewd and manipulative woman.

This film contains the truths about Reagan that the Modern Cons don't want you to know. The source-work for this film is beyond reproach, with most of it coming from the writings of Reagans children first published years ago.

Production wise, it's great. James Brolin is uncanny in his capture of the Reagan personna, and he delivers a performance that is charitable and kind. I think it's his best ever. The other performances are equally as good.

Bottom Line: The truth is out there, and this is it.

All I can say is Bravo to Showtime for airing this picture. There seems very little doubt now (and not because of this movie) that what was depicted in this made for TV film is accurate. Ronald Reagan was a spaced out old man residing in his own private La-La Land who had a great PR campaign to buffalo the American people into believing that he was running the country. The GOP and conservatives objected to this film. Well boo-hoo! It was made and shown. Isn't that what America is all about? Or is it about what conservatives only want?

The Republicans REALLY overreacted to this. And CBS should be ashamed of itself for cancelling it. Three cheers for Showtime for showing it multiple times (albeit an edited version).

This almost 3 hour mini starts with Ronald Reagan's (James Brolin) first meeting with Nancy Davis (Judy Davis). It follows them all the way up to 1988 when Reagan left office. Most people were afraid this would be a hatchet job--it really isn't. Reagan comes off as a nice, friendly guy who never really wanted to be President. Nancy does come off as loud, abrasive and controlling...but the movie makes it clear she's acting that way because she loves her husband so much. Also chalk it up to Brolins' and Davis' excellent performances for driving that across.

It doesn't sidestep some of Reagan's mistakes--his "trees cause pollution" remark is there as is the horrendous Iran-Contra disaster. However his abortion policies aren't even brought up and the AIDS sequence was edited down--Nancy was all for AIDS treatment, Reagan said "They live in sin so let them die in sin"--it's now cut from the film. Also the treatment of their children is interesting--the kids from his first wife are barely in there--Ron Reagan Jr. is made into a saint (he wasn't) and Patti Davis comes across as a loud, shreiking monster (she wasn't). Also Nancy is shown as an uncaring mother.

All in all, this seems like a pretty accurate portryal. It is too long but it's saved by great performances from the entire supporting actors--especially the actress who plays Patti Davis and Zeljko Ivanek as Mike Deaver.

Next time the Republicians might want to VIEW something before attacking it.

Let me get right to the point: The problem with this movie is its utter lack of dramatic content. The story of Ronald and Nancy Reagan is so well known that this movie cannot offer any surprises. Further, the movie mocks Ronald and Nancy Reagan for being who they were - an actor and his devoted wife, and offers a simplistic portrayal of Mr. Reagan as being part Jed Clampett and part Gomer Pyle. What the movie glosses over is Ronald Reagan's career - college graduate, a Captain in the U. S. Army, the president of one of the most influential labor organizations in the entertainment industry, Governor of California and President of the United States. Pretty good resume for a small-town guy.