‘Reagan’ Review: Dennis Quaid Headlines an Overly Reverential Tribute to a Controversial Politician

As a lifelong political enthusiast who has followed the Reagan era from its early beginnings, I must say that “Reagan” is a heartfelt tribute to a man whose legacy continues to shape American politics today. Dennis Quaid delivers a solid performance as the former president, even if he doesn’t quite capture the charm of his earlier roles in “The Right Stuff” or “Great Balls of Fire.” The film’s non-linear storytelling approach might be chic these days, but it sometimes leaves one feeling like they’re skimming stones across the surface of Reagan’s life instead of diving deep into its rich tapestry.

Two decades ago, I found myself in the spotlight of “The Reagans.” With James Brolin and an outstanding performance by Judy Davis, this highly debated TV movie sparked disapproval from Reagan supporters and barely saw the light of day on television. However, I find a completely different response to the respectful “Reagan,” featuring Dennis Quaid as the former president. The only ones who might not feel the same are those seeking a sharp, vibrant cinematic experience.

The movie, penned by Howard Klausner and helmed by Sean McNamara, attempts to span the entire life of a politician, from his childhood to his passing due to Alzheimer’s. However, it barely delves into the details across numerous decades. It starts with an assassination attempt on Reagan in 1981, mere months after his inauguration, and then leaps both forward and backward in time, mirroring the current trend — which can be stylish yet frequently unsatisfying — of non-linear storytelling.

An intriguing option is that the narrative is conveyed by a former KGB agent (portrayed by Jon Voight), who praises or criticizes Reagan, referred to as “the Crusader,” for the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The story doesn’t delve into the resurgence of KGB ideals under Vladimir Putin’s rule, possibly to keep the narrative simple and appease the presumed primary audience for this polished homage to Reagan, who may be nostalgic moviegoers.

The movie primarily explores significant moments in Reagan’s life, yet it doesn’t delve deeply into these events. For instance, we witness him serving as SAG president during the late 1940s anti-Communist hysteria. In a scene, he engages in friendly banter with Dalton Trumbo, one of the blacklisted Hollywood Ten (portrayed by Sean Hankinson). Jack Warner, played by Kevin Dillon, who seems ill-suited for the role of studio chief, recruits Reagan to help identify communists in Hollywood. The film features a few scenes with his first wife, actress Jane Wyman, but her character is portrayed as superficial and shrewish to emphasize Reagan’s strong bond with Nancy Davis (Penelope Ann Miller). This portrayal of Wyman leaves Mena Suvari, who plays Wyman in the movie, with minimal opportunities. The closing credits reveal that Wyman actually voted for her ex-husband twice when he ran for President. One might wonder, aren’t ballots meant to be confidential? Isn’t it odd that this information is disclosed?

Despite the movie being a lengthy 140 minutes, it gives an impression of haste as it swiftly covers significant events (and some less favorable ones, like Reagan’s stint as a small-time Vegas entertainer in the 50s): His tenure as California governor for eight years, his loss at the 1976 Republican convention against Gerald Ford, followed by his comeback in 1980 and his landslide win in 1984. Certain events from his time in the White House, particularly the Iran-Contra scandal, are briefly discussed but glossed over in just a couple of minutes. The movie offers a fleeting glimpse of AIDS activists, yet there’s no commentary on Reagan’s prolonged silence during the AIDS epidemic in the ’80s. Moreover, it fails to acknowledge Reagan’s role in closing mental health institutions, which undeniably exacerbated the growing homelessness issue.

One significant scene in the movie, arguably a defining moment for Reagan’s life as well, was his 1987 speech at the Berlin Wall, where he famously said, “Mr. Gorbachev, if you want to, bring this wall down!” However, one may wonder if that speech alone was the catalyst for the collapse of Communism. It seems likely that Mikhail Gorbachev, portrayed compassionately by Oleg Krupa in the movie, also played a crucial part in the events.

In this portrayal, Quaid’s cheeks are made full and rosy, echoing the classic Reagan likeness, yet his acting doesn’t quite capture the charisma he showcased in ‘The Right Stuff’ or ‘Great Balls of Fire’. Unlike Davis in ‘The Reagans’, who portrayed Nancy as a Lady Macbeth-like figure in high heels, Miller manages to persuade us of Nancy’s lifelong dedication to Ronnie. The ensemble cast is vast, but most characters are underutilized and fail to leave a lasting impact. It’s delightful to see Lesley-Anne Down reprising her role as Margaret Thatcher, some 45 years after her prominent roles in the 1970s.

Technical credits are solid. Scenes filmed at the Reagan ranch in the Santa Barbara area have a special luster. The most moving moments, however, are the newsreel shots of Reagan’s funeral, which Thatcher and Gorbachev attended. No screenwriter was able to meddle with that footage.

2024-08-29 16:55

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