Reagan

As a history movie and biopic nerd, I've been following the development of it for most of the last decade. Given its long development, not to mention some of its supporting cast choices (including politically conservative actors Jon Voight, Robert Davi, and Kevin Sorbo) and the fact it's been sitting on a shelf since it was filmed in 2020-21, I wondered what the final product would be.

I'll be honest: I've got very mixed feelings about the thing I spent two and a bit hours watching.

Quaid was fantastic, as I expected. A little airbrushed/over made-up looking in some of the younger scenes but damn good all the same. His reading of Reagan's 1994 Farewell Letter was remarkable. And, as predicted when the trailer dropped earlier this summer, Quaid didn't share a single scene with any of the aforementioned outspoken actors. A part of me suspects they have been brought in to get a bit more money without causing too much fuss.

And it's a film that clearly needed money if the production values are anything to go by. They're a couple of steps up from a Lifetime or cable tv movie. They tried but the budget wasn't quite there and you can tell it in the production values and the odd CGI shot that looked cheap. One area where the film had value put was in its score which was good, though overbearing in places due to the sound mix, with a highlight being the main title Cold War crash course (though The Man from UNCLE film in 2015 did the concept better).

Then there's the script. It tried to cram his whole life into two hours and it's deeply unfocused as a result. There's some stuff in it that's misrepresentation (such as the 1983 war scare) or just made up (including a sequence that shows the "Tear Down this Wall" speech covered live worldwide, a speech that was boosted to its current status mythic status well after Reagan left office). Like the production values, it's a couple of steps up from Lifetime or a Christian DVD movie (which it becomes in a few places rather jarringly) but it's got its moments. There's almost no nuance or sense of Reagan beyond politics or Nancy (their children barely appear), with AIDS covered in a brief montage and Iran-Contra dealt with in about eight minutes with no real look at what Reagan did or did not do. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer this was not, with neither screenwriter Howard Klausner or director Sean McNamara capable of doing anything but highlight the positives.

Reagan the movie is a mixed bag, to put it mildly. Worth the wait of a decade? Probably not. Is there still a better film to be made about Reagan?

No doubt.

The film Reagan (2024) offers a largely authentic portrayal of Ronald Reagan's life, despite some minor historical inaccuracies, such as the misrepresentation of Margaret Thatcher's stance on German reunification. In reality, Thatcher was wary of a strong, unified Germany, fearing it could destabilize the European balance of power. This well-documented skepticism is overlooked in the film, which instead presents her as a firm supporter of reunification. However, apart from such inconsistencies, the film does an admirable job of capturing Reagan's character, leadership, and personal struggles.

One of the film's strongest elements is the acting. The lead portrayal of Ronald Reagan is both nuanced and convincing, capturing his charisma, warmth, and unwavering optimism. The actor embodies Reagan's distinct mannerisms and speech patterns without turning them into a mere impersonation. His ability to transition from Reagan's Hollywood days to his time in the White House feels natural and engaging. Likewise, the supporting cast delivers strong performances, particularly in the roles of Nancy Reagan and key political figures of the era. The chemistry between Reagan and his closest advisors is well-executed, highlighting the complexities of his presidency.

The film's atmosphere is another major strength. The cinematography effectively immerses the audience in the different time periods of Reagan's life, from his early Hollywood career to the tense Cold War negotiations. The use of lighting and period-accurate set designs helps create a sense of authenticity, making viewers feel as though they are witnessing history unfold. The political tension of the 1980s is well-captured, with key moments, such as Reagan's negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev, depicted with gripping intensity. Additionally, the film manages to balance Reagan's political career with his personal life, offering a well-rounded view of the man behind the presidency.

One particularly intriguing aspect of the film is its handling of the intelligence community's role during the Cold War. A mysterious character, who is seen interrogating a retired KGB operative, adds an element of suspense and raises questions about hidden narratives behind Reagan's foreign policy. This subplot, while not fully explored, leaves the audience wondering: Who is this figure conducting the interrogation, and what deeper secrets about Reagan's Cold War strategies remain undisclosed?

The user reviews for this movie tend to reflect the political leanings of the viewers. Having said that, as a Reagan fan who began my adult life as he came to office, this movie leaves much to be desired. The writing (including stilted dialog), cinematography, and production values are substandard. Same with the acting, though Dennis Quaid did an admirable job of portraying the president. Aside from that, the audience would be much better served if the biopic had not been so ambitious. A life as interesting and impactful as Reagan's suffers from a cradle-to-grave treatment. It would be much better if only a slice of his life had been told, such as was the case with the excellent Steven Spielberg film "Lincoln." At most, the tale could have been limited to his presidency, or an examination of one part of his administration, such as his negotiations with Gorbachev that led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Regean is not deserving of the low critic ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritc (as of this writing, it sits at 20% and 22% respectively), but it is not quite a 10 out of 10 motion picture, either. It is well acted, the story is serviceable, and so is the direction overall, but if you are coming in expecting a straightforward biography of Ronald Reagan from his youth to his final days you will only be slightly disappointed, as a lot of the events in his life are recounted by the narration of Viktor Petrovich (Jon Voight). It certainly has its place in a story about the 40th President of the United States, but sometimes presents a slight "tell instead of show" problem as the narrative progresses and sometimes interferes with some of the retellings of the more dramatic moments in Reagan's life.

This motion picture does portray Reagan favorably but does not glamorize and glorify every aspect of his life and every decision he made in the entertainment industry, his relationships, and time in office. Dennis Quaid gives an excellent performance worthy of award recognition, nailing everything about Reagan from his voice, mannerisms, and personality, his chemistry with Penelope Ann Miller is fantastic.

Definitely worth a watch.

When there is so much to tell about the life of a person like Ronald Reagan, the choice for using motion graphics plus live action footage to give the audience these important pieces of narrative information in bite size bits was very strategic and well executed.

Dennis Quaid is fantastic, the man can carry a film like a pro. John Voight is the second heart of this film. He plays a character that I would say is a rival to Quaid's Reagan, but not necessarily an antagonist.

Now for the con, there is only one. The prosthetics for the actors to make them younger in the flash backs is noticeable, but not the worst thing ever.