The American President | Michael Douglas, Annette Bening

The American President | Michael Douglas, Annette Bening | Great romantic comedy

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The American Presi...

	The American President Michael Douglas, Annette Bening Turner Home Ent, 1999 average customer review:based on 177 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

What sounds like a high-concept romantic comedy pitch from hell--widower president falls for smart lobbyist while the world watches--is actually intelligent, charming, touching, and quite funny. Granted, it's wish fulfillment all the way (when was the last time you saw a president who was truly presidential?), but in the capable hands of writer Aaron Sorkin (TV's Sports Night) and director Rob Reiner, The American President is incredibly enjoyable entertainment with quite a few ideas about both romance and the government. Michael Douglas stars as the president, who after three years in office starts thinking about the possibility of dating. When he auspiciously encounters cutthroat environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), sparks begin to crackle and the two begin a tentative but heartfelt romance. Of course, his job gets in the way--their first kiss is interrupted by a Libyan bombing--but darn it if these two kids aren't going to try and make it work! However, they hadn't counted on the president's Republican antagonist (Richard Dreyfuss), who starts carping about family values. The predictable plot--Douglas finally goes to bat for his lady and his country--is leavened by Sorkin's wonderful, snappy dialogue and a light touch from the usually subtle-as-a-sledgehammer Reiner. Both manage to create a believable White House-office atmosphere (with a crack staff including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith, and Samantha Mathis) as well as a plausible and funny dating scenario. The true success of the movie, though, rides squarely on Douglas and Bening; this is unequivocally Douglas's best comedic performance (ergo his best performance, period) and Bening, usually such a good bad girl, takes a standard career-woman role and fleshes it out magnificently. You can see in an instant why Douglas would fall for her. One of the best unsung romantic comedies of the '90s. --Mark Englehart

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Cary Grant Lives

This is a very pleasant romantic comedy, reminisent of the old Cary Grant screwball affairs, light on the sex & heavy on the budding relationship. This blending of film making elements, so prevalent during the golden age of movies, makes a 2 hr film seem far too short; whereas, today, most 2 hr films seem far too long. Douglas, the younger, & Sheen, Fox, etc. hold together like a fine tuned car for the pictures length. Also, good casting for the right love interest, not too old, or too young & of the right degree of sophistication.

The story line was very tastefully done, being that the subject(s) is/are the President of the USA & the White House. Of course a charming & youngish First Man of the Land would have to be a Democratic man of the people. The Oval Office romantic encounters made me think of other such factual affairs in this local & as I recall they also involed Democratic Presidents, so I guess that it is entirely fitting that this was also the case.

All in all, this old timer thinks that this is one of the best romantic comedy movies turned out in quite awhile. A very enjoyable watch.

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Great romantic comedy

This item arrived quickly and in good condition. This is a bright, smart and fun romantic comedy.

Totally enjoyable

A wonderful look at the impact of the media on the lives of 'public' figures and how best to adapt to changing situations.

Pleased

I don't know how you could improve on perfection.
My item arrived almost a week ahead of the estimate. It was in perfect condition. Over-all my experience for this purchase was overwhelming positive. I would recommend this seller to anyone, anywhere for any item.

Thank you for your obvious hard work and attention to details.

A.R.

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Good Movie - Bad DVD

The movie itself is good and worth seeing. As has been mentioned by some other reviewers, the DVD quality is terrible. First, it is letter-boxed, which means if you have a wide screen TV you will have about 2/3 black screen with a little tiny movie in the middle. Second, the DVD transfer is terrible. There are all sorts of very visible artifacts throughout the entire movie, and they are very distracting. In sum, 5 stars for the movie, and 1 star for the quality of the DVD.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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