By Christian Eltell
Written and Published on March 2, 2020
Critic Rating: 4/4 Stars
Special 25th Anniversary Review
This is the film I’ve been thinking about for the past few months, especially back in November during Election Day. I also wish Andrew Shepherd was the type of Commander-in-Chief we had in the White House for the past four years. Thankfully, President Joe Biden has now taken over from the incompetent, reprehensible, and twice-impeached ex-President Donald Trump (aka No. 45, aka Individual #1, aka Agent Orange).
That being said, The American President, intelligently written by Aaron Sorkin, and skillfully directed by Rob Reiner (who has understandingly expressed disgust over Trump and his horrendous presidency on Twitter), successfully combined political drama and romantic comedy in this 1995 feature. The plot follows Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), the President of the United States, who lost his wife due to cancer, and has Lucy (Shawna Waldron), a wonderful daughter who he raises on his own. He juggles a number of issues during his presidency, including re-election, gun control, and global warming. He also becomes attracted to Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Benning).
Sydney is a beautiful, intelligent, funny, and outspoken environmental lobbyist whose first meeting with the President is an odd encounter. She explains her disappointment concerning the President’s lack of action on global warming with her colleague Susan (Wendie Malick) and White House officials. Andrew quietly walks in behind Sydney as she rants on about his agenda. Surprisingly, Andrew and his Chief of Staff A.J. MacInerney (Martin Sheen) are both contently smiling as they listen to Sidney express her views.
When the President reveals himself, Sidney feels ashamed and embarrassed, telling him moments later in the Oval Office that she apologizes for offending him, and that she was only trying to impress her colleague who doesn’t think very highly of her. Andrew has no grudge against Sidney, admiring her perspective, and acknowledging that he’s criticized every day. Sidney questions the President’s commitment to taking on the conflicts of greenhouse gas on the environment, so Andrew makes an agreement with her in order for the GDC (Global Defense Council) to get a deal passed to reduce fossil fuel emissions. If Sidney and her fellow lobbyists are able to get twenty-four votes for the fossil fuel package, Andrew and his administration will get the last ten votes. After that, Andrew slyly asks Sydney if she wants to have a coffee or doughnut with him.
Andrew and Sidney develop chemistry and a strong connection with each other not only because of their political statures but also due to their desire to connect and engage with one another. Sydney stays over at the White House, has dinner with Andrew and Lucy on a number of occasions, attends a state dinner and a Christmas party, and, inevitably, Sydney sleeps with the President. Andrew and Sydney’s relationship concerns the President’s staff due to the amount of attention it would receive, especially during an election year, while the press follows Sydney and takes pictures of her leaving the White House and everywhere she goes. The relationship also catches the attention of Presidential candidate Bob Rumsfeld (Richard Dreyfuss). He goes after Sydney by talking negatively about her (“is she the first mistress?”) and leaks a photo of her from years back, in which she’s at a protest with several people burning an American flag.
While Andrew and Sydney try to maintain a loving and caring relationship, there are concerns that Andrew’s re-election chances are declining since Rumsfeld is on offense, doing all of the talking and attacking the President and his new girlfriend. There are also Congressmen who question the President’s choices, not only involving his relationship with Sydney, but also the credibility of his proposed crime and energy bills, meant to boost Andrew’s re-election chances. While Sydney has grown to love Andrew, she also expresses concern over their highly publicized relationship, believing that it might hurt Andrew’s job and reputation, as well as hers.
As President Shepherd, Michael Douglas is an ideal choice due to his nice-guy attitude, his sense of humor, his commitment to being a wise and understanding leader for his country, and his love for Sydney and Lucy. However, we also see Andrew’s vulnerability when it comes to his personal relationship with Sydney and doing his job as President. It’s difficult to commit to both at the same time. Annette Benning is also wonderful as Sydney, due to her ability to blend sweet romance and hard work in her political career. She understands the risks she takes in her relationship with the most powerful man in the world. She displays warmness and care towards those close to her, but isn’t fearful of expressing her thoughts when matters go wrong. Martin Sheen’s A.J. MacInerney is both a resourceful White House Chief of Staff and Andrew’s best friend, who has the ability to draw a line between personal friendship (“you were the best man at my wedding for crying out loud”) and formal politics (“you fight the fights that need fighting”) with the President. Michael J. Fox also delivers a strong performance as Lewis Rothschild, the President’s Senior Domestic Policy Advisor, who works hard to ensure the President is doing his job, and reminds him, in a powerful scene, that the people need strong leadership.
David Paymer, Anne Devere Smith, and Samantha Mathis are firm, focused, and slightly comical as Andrew’s staff. John Mahoney, Joshua Molina, and Wendie Malick round out a delightful supporting cast, many of whom also went on to star in Aaron Sorkin’s classic NBC series, The West Wing.
The creation of the White House in this film is beautiful and lively. It looks and feels like the real thing. Every room and office, including the Oval Office and the China room, are elegantly structured, giving space for characters to interact with each other.
There are some hilarious moments in the film, such as when Andrew surprisingly struggles to buy flowers for Sydney by phone, and his staff is wondering what he’s doing.
Another piece of brilliant comedy is when Andrew calls Sydney in order to ask her to be his date for a state dinner, but Sydney cluelessly believes she’s talking to someone named Richard and compliments his nice ass. When Andrew asks Sydney to hang up the phone and call a number asking to speak to the President, Sydney once again feels embarrassed towards the leader of the free world.
Besides his intimate moments with Sydney, Andrew also plays pool with his friend and right-hand man, A.J. They have thoughtful conversations, such as whether or not a President should ask women out on dates, why A.J. won’t address Andrew by his first name even in non-formal occasions, and Andrew’s plans for re-election.
Sorkin and Reiner have created a film in which well-rounded characters can simply have intimate and complex conversations with each other about serious issues such as crime, global warming, political elections, and personal relationships. These are subjects and concepts that are currently being talked about more than ever today amidst a pandemic. Andrew’s brilliant final speech in the film justifies that a leader, with the right characteristics, who is responsible, accountable, diligent, and morally obligated, is the type of person people want and need to lead the United States.
Christian and Benigno's Love For Films 