Fresh
Part romantic comedy, part Capra-corny political drama, this movie exudes so much sympathy, it sweats.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The American President
Why can't the most powerful man in the world have the one thing he wants most?
1995 · 1h 53m · PG-13
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed by
Rob Reiner
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The American President
Overview
Widowed U.S. president Andrew Shepherd, one of the world's most powerful men, can have anything he wants -- and what he covets most is Sydney Ellen Wade, a Washington lobbyist. But Shepherd's attempts at courting her spark wild rumors and decimate his approval ratings.
Director and cast
- Rob Reiner Director
- Michael Douglas as Andrew Shepherd
- Annette Bening as Sydney Ellen Wade
- Martin Sheen as A.J. MacInerney
- Michael J. Fox as Lewis Rothschild
- Anna Deavere Smith as Robin McCall
- Samantha Mathis as Janie Basdin
- Shawna Waldron as Lucy Shepherd
- David Paymer as Leon Kodak
- Anne Haney as Mrs. Chapil
- Richard Dreyfuss as Senator Rumson
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
90%
Tomatometer
Fresh
With great looks, a dandy supporting cast, a zinger-filled screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and Mr. Douglas twinkling merrily in the Oval Office, The American President is sunny enough to make the real Presidency pale by comparison.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Fresh
Genial and entertaining if not notably inspired.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Fresh
As bustling and impassioned as the best Sturges and Capra movies.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
Rotten
Neither bad nor unwatchable, The American President is nevertheless the second straight disappointment from director Rob Reiner.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
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