The Reagans [VHS]
by Robert Allan Ackerman
![The Reagans [VHS]](/images/The-Reagans-VHS-B0001WTV7A-L.jpg)
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VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Bill Smitrovich, James Brolin, Judy Davis, Mary Beth Peil, Zeljko IvanekDirector: Robert Allan Ackerman
Producer: Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Writer: Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Producer: Craig Zadan
Producer: Dave Mace
Writer: Elizabeth Egloff
Writer: Jane Marchwood
Writer: Thomas Rickman
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Miniseries, NTSC
Running Time: 86 minutes
Release Date: 2004-05-18
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
Studio: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
VHS Movie Reviews of The Reagans [VHS]
Movie Review: Engrossing but Misses the Mark
Summary: 3 Stars
James Brolin is incredible in his portrayal of Ronald Reagan. I did not think he would be convincing at first, but within a few minutes into the film, it was like watching the real Reagan!
Unfortunately, there is some fire beneath the controversial smoke this movie generated. Judy Davis gives a competent performance, as written, but she is no Nancy Reagan. Her portrayal was too brassy, more of a "Mommie Dearest" and there was clearly a lack of sympathy toward her by the writers. Davis is not convincing at all, especially beside Brolin who practically WAS Ronnie. I think the film would have done well to consult with the actual people involved before going into production.
My very first presidential vote went for Reagan in 1984. As a gay man I am among few who can say that with pride. He made a lot of mistakes during his presidency, but not one with any mean-spiritedness. His underlings took care of that part of the administration. For all the liberal extremists who constantly bashed Reagan, calling him a war-monger and ideologue, just look at what's happening now. He actually kept us out of war. Reagan was misled and ill-served by many influential people working under him. He was a naive and trusting man, to a fault.
This film did a good job of portraying what Ronald Reagan was all about, until it got to the issue of AIDS. I see why the family protested. Come on, even Patti, who always bashed her father's policies, resented this film's slant on the AIDS issue. The fact is that Ronald Reagan was an old man, born of another era, who did not know how to address matters of sexuality. AIDS automatically implied sexuality. Reagan was also a surprisingly shy man. His silence was often the simple result of not knowing what to say. I once wrote him a strongly critical letter on the matter of his handling of the AIDS crisis. I now know better. Yes, he was slow to respond. But the deaths that followed would have happened anyway. There is still no cure. Sometimes we American's are just too accustomed to "instant gratification".
The film illustrated quite well how Reagan came to be so pro-corporate in his policies. He had been bought out without even knowing it, thinking the big corporations treated everyone as well as they treated him. He never thought anyone could behave in a manner less honorable than his own, except for communists. The fact of the matter is that Ronald Reagan was probably one of the most decent, principled and honorable men ever to hold the office of President. He could eventually even accept responsibility for his mistakes when he recognized them. How long has it been since we've seen a president do that?
I would love to see another movie about Reagan done with more accuracy and balance, and with James Brolin in the lead role.
Summary of The Reagans [VHS]
Despite charges of character assassination that drove made-for-TV movie The Reagans off CBS's primetime schedule, the three-hour production is actually sympathetic and even generous in its portrayal of Ronald and Nancy Reagan's rise from hard-working Hollywood couple to First Family. Beginning with their first date in 1949, the story establishes parallel dramatic tracks--the Reagans' acquisition of power and remoteness from their children--and never veers from them. The most interesting section concerns crucial political transitions made by the onetime Democratic loyalist and future Republican governor and president (James Brolin), though Reagan is never portrayed as an opportunist with flexible principles. Once more familiar details kick in--Reagan's hard line as California's boss, the presidential campaigns, two terms in the White House, Iran-Contra, etc.--the script shifts focus to Nancy (Judy Davis) and her ascendancy as a fierce player in the doddering Ronald's latter administration. It's all fascinating, and most certainly not a hatchet job. --Tom KeoghDrama VHS Video
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