Plot
Comedy-drama about a widowed US president and a lobbyist who fall in love. It's all aboveboard, but "politics is perception" and sparks fly anyway.
Release Year: 1995
Rating: 6.7/10 (27,355 voted)
Critic's Score: 67/100
Director:
Rob Reiner
Stars: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen
Storyline Andrew Shepherd is approaching the end of his first term as President of the United States. He's a widower with a young daughter and has proved to be popular with the public. His election seems assured. That is until he meets Sydney Ellen Wade, a paid political activist working for an environmental lobby group. He's immediately smitten with her and after several amusing attempts, they finally manage to go on a date (which happens to be a State dinner for the visiting President of France). His relationship with Wade opens the door for his prime political opponent, Senator Bob Rumson, to launch an attack on the President's character, something he could not do in the previous election as Shepherd's wife had only recently died.
Cast: Michael Douglas
-
President Andrew Shepherd
Annette Bening
-
Sydney Ellen Wade
Martin Sheen
-
A.J. MacInerney
Michael J. Fox
-
Lewis Rothschild
Anna Deavere Smith
-
Robin McCall
Samantha Mathis
-
Janie Basdin
Shawna Waldron
-
Lucy Shepherd
David Paymer
-
Leon Kodak
Anne Haney
-
Mrs. Chapil
Richard Dreyfuss
-
Senator Bob Rumson
Nina Siemaszko
-
Beth Wade
Wendie Malick
-
Susan Sloan
Beau Billingslea
-
Agent Cooper
Gail Strickland
-
Esther MacInerney
Joshua Malina
-
David
Taglines:
Why can't the most powerful man in the world have the one thing he wants most?
Filming Locations: Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $62,000,000
(estimated)
Gross: $65,000,000
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The main theme, by composer Marc Shaiman, can often be heard in the queue area of the attraction, Soarin' Over California, in Disney's California Adventure. The theme was also used as the background music in ABC television's coverage of President Ronald Reagan's funeral.
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):
During a White House Christmas party, Sydney recounts an incident on Dupont Circle, prompting AJ to ask "What were you doing up on the Hill". But Dupont Circle is northwest of the White House and Capitol Hill is to the southeast. She was away from the Hill.
Quotes: A.J.:
Mr. President, this is an election year. If you're looking for female companionship, we can make certain arrangements that will ensure total privacy. President Andrew Shepherd:
I don't want you to get me a girl, A.J.! What is this, Vegas? A.J.:
No sir, this is the White House.
User Review
Better than apple pie
Rating: 10/10
This Reiner flick is a gem of the nineties. In its genre probably the best
thing to hit the screens since Capra rounded them up over half a century
ago.
The story itself is nothing extraordinary. Set in Washington it is a
simple
tale of love between lobbyist Sidney Wade and widow President Andrew
Sheperd. Flung into love they both encounter obstacles as both opposition
and political differences tear them apart. No need to worry though, all is
well that ends well. And Reiner is not the one to slip one on
us.
What makes this film shine above most are not the development of
characters
or the underdeveloped political statements. Its the achievement of giving
audiences 90 minutes of pure bliss. Douglas is lovable as president,
Beattys
spouse makes you jealous as always, J. Fox never misses an opportunity to
display huge talent and Dreyfuss is just the kind of guy you love to hate.
Add a dose of victorious political correctness and top it of with a final
speech that raises the hair on any kinds of neck but rednecks, and you got
your evening made.
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