The American President / Dave

This is the second time I have purchased this movie because I wore the former out. This feel-good movie is especially comforting during today's political party feuds. The acting is spot-on with Michael Douglas being and excellent president due largely to his fabulous chief of staff, Martin Sheen, both men in their prime. Annette Bening adds an energy and excitement to the film as she loves her job and working in Washington. Michael J. Fox is perfect for his role as the environment watchdog. I never get tired of watching this film.

Okay, to weigh in on the key points of discussion that keep popping up with regards to this particular romantic comedy. First, I would have liked "West Wing" if I had never seen "The American President" and I would have liked "The American President" even if it was not a test balloon for "The West Wing." Second, of course a romantic comedy about the President of the United States is going to have a liberal in the White House. Conservatives are either (a) not that funny or (b) do not like to be laughed at, take your pick. Third, the part that bugs me the most is the "character" issue everybody keeps alluding to. I know part of the premise of this movie is "What is Hillary died and Bill Clinton was all alone in the White House and Chelsea was giving him dating tips?", but does that automatically mean we have to give all his sexual foibles to the fictional Andrew Shepherd? The man says he has only loved two women in his life and that it has been a long time since he has done anything sexual, so what is this character issue? Somebody explain it to me...like I was a six year old.The actual plot of "The American President" is as old as the hills: boy becomes President, boy meets girl, boys falls for girl, girl falls for boy, and the entire country has an opinion. But ultimately the story does not matter because we stop flipping through the channels when we come to this movie on television because of the snappy dialogue and the excellent acting performances. Somehow screenwriter Aaron Sorkin got from "A Few Good Men" and "Malice," to this choice piece of political drama. Michael Douglas turns in his best romantic comedy performance as President Andrew Shepherd while Annette Bening plays Sydney Ellen Wade, a paid political lobbyist who discovers she has more of the President of the United States than his ear.But ultimately "The American President" features one of those ensemble casts that makes you sit and shake your head in wonder. Actually, it is rather depressing to think that the actual occupants of the West Wing are no where as smart or as glib as this crew: Martin Sheen ("Come, friends, let us away"), Anna Deavere Smith ("I think the important thing is not to make it look like we're panicking"), Samantha Mathis ("Sir, I don't understan?"), and David Paymer ("Well, I could explain it better, but I'd need charts, and graphs, and an easel"), and in my choice for the best performance of his career, Michael J. Fox ("Can I just state very clearly I can't be part of anything illegal").Did I mention the dialogue is really good in this film? However, the film's only Oscar nomination was for Original Musical score. Go figure.Personally, I do not think the American people would turn upon a widowed President who started dating. But then I have this pesky idealistic streak that refuses to go away. This is a witty, literate romantic-comedy that harkens back to Hollywood's golden age. Ultimately the film's political leanings have little to do with our enjoyment because we know nothing ever happens with issues like gun control and fuel emissions in the real world and Bob Rumson's problem is not that he is running for President but that he is trying to break up the romance between these two kids.Most Romantic Lines: (1) "Well, first of all, the two hundred pairs of eyes aren't focused on me. They're focused on you. And the answers are Sydney Ellen Wade, and because she said yes." (2) "Perhaps I didn't properly explain the fundamentals of the slowdown plan." (3) "I've loved two women in my life. I lost one to cancer and I lost the other because I was too busy keeping my job to do my job. Well, that ends right now." Of course, these are not the best lines in the movie because those are all about politics more than romance.If you like "The American President," then check out these other films on the AFI's list: #74 "Woman of the Year" and #31 "The King and I." Why? Well, because in the former you find how hard it is to mix politics and love and in the latter you have a leader whose position does not allow him to fall in love.

These are two wonderful movies, full of humor and love, well written and directed.

Terrific enjoyable romance movie with some comedy. Fun to watch. Love the endings. Good enough for me to watch many times, and not tire of it.

This movie is a great movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽 to watch 👀. The movie is worth the price.It's best to watch 👀 in the evening.

Movie classic. Something for everyone

looks like crap...video sucks!!!

its o.k.but after viewing it once.you put in the book for a rainy day

Primary a feel-good film with very good performances by Michael Douglas (rarely does he make a film that is uninteresting or bland) and Annette Benning, who I've always considered to be pretty without being stunningly beautiful and therefore isn't used nearly as much as she should be by Hollywood producers. She is extremely able without being glamorous.Both fit their roles perfectly here and their relationship isn't too syrupy, befitting Douglas's intelligent widowed President and Benning's bright lobbyist who meet in the White House and begin dating.This is ammunition for Richard Dreyfuss who will use any means to enhance his profile as an opposition contender in the upcoming Presidential elections.There are some good twists and turns that happen along the way to make this an entertaining watch which I think is well suited for both a male and female audience---It is not full of action nor is it mega-romantic, it just has the right balance in my opinion.The bonus for fans of 'The West Wing' is that the writer is Aaron Sorkin, and the terrific Martin Sheen has the role of Chief Of Staff here prior to his pivotal performance as President Bartlett in the tv series.As I write this dvd is under a pound on Amazon.That's better than Poundland!!!!!!!!

This was Aaron Sorkin's dry run for The West Wing, possibly the greatest television series ever made, and while it's not in the same league as that masterpiece, it's very enjoyable nonetheless. Michael Douglas and Annette Bening have real chemistry as the widowed president and the political lobbyist with whom he falls in love. West Wing addicts will feel right at home with Douglas's liberal president fighting the machinations of the Republican opposition over a range of familiar issues, like the environment and gun control. But relax. The politics is only applied with the lightest of touches, and the love story takes centre stage, given added charge by being set in the White House. Their first kiss -, in the presidential dish room - is unfortunately interrupted by some trouble with those pesky Libyans. The president has to break off to go and drop a few bombs. 'Twas ever thus. Part of the fun is spotting the cross-overs. For instance, the sister of the presidential girl friend is also one of President Bartlett's daughters in the West Wing. All in all, they don't come much better than this...

Is this the greatest film ever made? No! However there are some films that just give you the warm and fuzzies every time you see it and this film is that for me. I just love it - it don't know why, it's as cheesy as they come - but if ever i feel a bit off form and just need to relax and feel like all is ok again, i know that this film is as good as a hug and will set me straight again.

Annette Benning is lovely; she exudes obvious sharp wit and political astuteness in this role but it's perfectly balanced by her senior prom-girl delight and endearing naivety at the enormity of the context of the relationship being proposed to her.Aaron Sorkin's screenplay shows all the rapid fire acuity and understanding of complex political argot as would be so fabulously demonstrated later in The West Wing and it's nice to see some of the actors/characters (minor and major) who would also appear in that series.Yes, the politics are clearly biased towards liberal idealism (the press room speech is excellent and reminds me of something similar in The Contender) but who wants to watch a depiction of a right wing administration? The real thing's too horrible to experience although I'm sure it would make interesting viewing.Benning and Douglas are well cast in terms of their realistic and believable respective ages and the potential for what would have to be a truly romantic (and ultimately sexual) chemistry.Douglas delivers a very effective and engagingly appealing imperiousness which works well.Fox is great as a younger man with such a high responsibility.I had to keep pinching myself that Sheen's not Bartlett! First time I watched the film he just looked wrong but I got used to it.Easily takes repeat viewing to fully appreciate the large number of little gems Sorkin's worked into the dialogue.Super film

Without doubt one of my favourite romcoms of all time. Michael Douglas has never been better, he is perfect as the president, that can also be said for the rest of the cast who all shine and each have their own moment in the film. The script is amazing, it is sharp, witty and also very funny. It is a warm genuine story which gives a realistic look behind the scenes of what presedential life must be like. The white house sets are spot on and the film looks terrific. Once again I must mention Michael Douglas, when he does 2 speeches in the film, one about bombing an embassy in Libya and the other on live TV at the end, you will believe he is the president. Fantastic entertainment.