As a Baby Boomer who vividly remembers Ronald Reagan’s presidency and its impact on our nation, I must say that the film “Reagan” left me wanting more. Don’t get me wrong; Dennis Quaid delivers an exceptional performance, and the production value is top-notch. However, the film seems to skim the surface of a man who was deeply complex and multifaceted.
I found Reagan to be a movie with a distinct atmosphere, reminiscent of films produced by faith-based studio Angel Studios, like “Sound of Hope,” “Sound of Freedom,” and “Sight.” These movies often carry a specific message or theme and seldom feel authentically developed. The plot is present, but it’s sometimes overshadowed by the creators who aim to convey a particular idea. It feels akin to a history lesson in eighth grade, where the story seems more like a vehicle for delivering a predetermined message rather than organically evolving.
The biopic directed by Sean McNamara on Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President, isn’t overly dramatic or complex, but it effectively conveys its message: This movie doesn’t delve deeply into Reagan’s personal life or criticisms, instead choosing to present him in a favorable light. It portrays Reagan as a figure of greatness who rose from humble beginnings, found success in Hollywood, entered politics, and played a significant role in ending the Cold War and thwarting communism during the 1980s. The film is reminiscent of a movie you might want to watch about yourself at your funeral.
The movie boasts numerous strengths, one of which is the outstanding performance by Dennis Quaid as “The Gipper”. He skillfully embodies Reagan without it appearing forced or excessively imitative. Additionally, Reagan boasts a strong ensemble cast including Academy Award winner Jon Voight, Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari, Kevin Dillon, and David Henrie. However, even this talented group is unable to salvage this overly light-hearted (and drawn-out) production.
A Different Kind of Narrator
The movie opens with a voiceover of Ronald Reagan discussing unexpected events and a higher purpose. From the start, McNamara portrays Reagan as a seemingly divine figure, fated to be virtuous and perform noble deeds. Immediately following this, we are transported to the well-known attempt on Reagan’s life by John Hinckley Jr., in 1981. This is where an unusual turn of events unfolds.
Drawing inspiration from Paul Kengor’s 2006 top-selling book, “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism“, author Howard Klausner chooses to narrate the tale through the perspective of a fictionalized KGB agent named Victor Novikov (Jon Voigt). In essence, it feels like we’re revisiting the scene where Tom Hanks starred in “Elvis” once more. The shortcoming of that film lies in its portrayal of an ominous, manipulative character (Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s manager) who is tasked with conveying a captivating story about a charismatic figure.
In this production, Jon Voight’s role is limited as the script mainly requires him to serve as a narrator, guiding us through Reagan’s life history, much like flipping pages in a book. He engages with a character (Alex Sparrow’s Andrei Novikov) who represents the Soviet side, and he refers to Reagan as “The Crusader,” someone he has been observing for years. It presents an unusual political narrative that resembles “Tuesdays with Morrie” in some ways, but it doesn’t quite feel authentic or compelling.
Reagan Presented as a Savior
Instead, let’s travel back in time and witness Reagan, as a child, growing up in rural Illinois. Here, his mother, portrayed by Jennifer O’Neill, is depicted as being deeply supportive, constantly reinforcing to young Ronald that he has an extraordinary destiny. Although this aspect of the plot may seem insignificant at first, the movie repeatedly emphasizes it to ensure we don’t miss it.
What follows are immensely broad strokes through various moments in Reagan’s early years. The little boy becomes a young man lifeguarding — note: saving people’s lives. He even tallies how many people he’s rescued from the water. A lake, in fact. Not a raging ocean, but, nonetheless, we are again told that Reagan is a hero. And will become an even bigger one.
The lively portrayal of Reagan’s time in Hollywood shows his marriage to Jane Wyman (Mena Suvari as RZR’s character), who regrets the decline of Reagan’s acting career from leading roles to a supporting part in “Bedtime for Gonzo” and commercial pitches. Later, Reagan encounters his long-term partner Nancy Reagan (Penelope Ann Miller). The filmmaker manages to depict their connection, but questions about their feelings for each other are not fully addressed – the reasons behind Nancy’s affection for Ronny and Ronny’s love for her remain unexplored.
Lengthy Running Would Have Made a Better Limited Series
Due to the director’s preference for a lengthy runtime exceeding two hours, the film aims to delve into every decade of Reagan’s life, given that he lived until the age of 93 in 2004. This extensive span means there’s a lot to tackle, making it feel more suited as a limited series rather than a single movie – especially considering the political aspects alone.
As a film enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “This period is where the narrative unfolds, focusing on Ronald Reagan’s political journey. The storyline provides an overview of his years in politics, but delves less into the intricacies. It’s a repetitive theme of Reagan standing against communism that echoes throughout the script. We witness Reagan, alongside Nancy, transition from being the governor of California during the 1960s and early 1970s to embarking on a presidential campaign.”
Leading figures such as Margaret Thatcher (Lesley-Anne Down), Mikhail Gorbachev (Olek Krupa), Leonid Brezhnev (Robert Davi), Tip O’Neill (Dan Lauria), and Reagan’s trusted ally James Baker (Nick Searcy) are brought in, only to be swiftly replaced. The narrative lacks the necessary development or tension to convey the magnitude of events unfolding, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and Reagan’s increasing influence over Russia, which remain underdeveloped.
Dennis Quaid Is the Best Part of Reagan
In this movie, there’s no mention of the LGBTQ+ community, Reagan’s approach to the AIDS crisis, or his controversial policies on mental health. It feels like a completely different world is being portrayed. If the film had delved deeper into Reagan’s complexities instead of focusing so narrowly, it could have been truly exceptional, taking a daring stance.
For discerning individuals like Baby Boomers, Millennials, and West Coasters who closely follow historical events, it’s not that Reagan was terrible; it’s simply a disappointment, given our high expectations. However, let me emphasize that Reagan was an exceptional performer, arguably more truthful than the contemporary Republican figure who remains influential today.
Immerse yourself in the movie, and you’ll undoubtedly admire Dennis Quaid’s exceptional performance, which is yet another stellar act. The film boasts impressive production quality, and the scenic views of the Reagan Ranch in California, where part of the film was shot, are captivating. However, if you’re seeking a more profound exploration of an iconic figure, this movie might not offer that depth. With its talented cast, Reagan leans towards being a light-hearted tribute film, filled with emotion but lacking in significant depth. Reagan, produced by Showbiz Direct, will be released in theaters on August 30.
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-08-31 01:40