As someone who lived through the Reagan years and was deeply affected by his policies, I find Reagan to be a disappointingly shallow portrayal of a complex figure. The film fails to capture the nuances and contradictions that defined Ronald Reagan’s life and presidency, reducing him to a one-dimensional caricature instead. Dennis Quaid, a talented actor, is hamstrung by the need to impersonate rather than embody Reagan.
The movie “Reagan” is more like a glorified biography rather than a compelling one that leaves a lasting impression. Directed by Sean McNamara, the film has an appealing exterior, but it’s so superficial and repetitive that it inadvertently undermines Ronald Reagan’s legacy. The movie claims to cover the entire span of his life, from his early years to his 1994 announcement at the age of 83 about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. However, it fails to portray him as a complex, multifaceted individual – more like a programmed robot than a human being. Instead of capturing the essence of Reagan, it seems to simply replay his famous speeches.
In this portrayal, Dennis Quaid, known for subtly incorporating touches of melancholy into his robust masculinity, struggles to fully embody the character due to the requirement to mimic Reagan. He effectively captures Reagan’s speech patterns (and frequently uses the phrase “Well”) and attempts to convey the president’s occasional political or personal challenges. However, the performance lacks the enigmatic spark that is often present in Quaid’s performances. This portrayal of Reagan appears devoid of a rich inner world. Instead, every thought or emotion he expresses is spoken aloud, which might be commendable in a politician, but results in dull art.
From my perspective as a dedicated admirer, the movie “Reagan” offers a sweeping narrative yet maintains a sharp focus, primarily exploring its protagonist’s relentless fight against Communism throughout his journey from being a Screen Actors Guild president to ascending higher public offices. The film is narrated by a former Soviet intelligence officer (Jon Voight), now retired, who shares his insights in the present day, responding to questions posed by a younger colleague about the demise of the Russian empire. He affectionately refers to Reagan as “The Crusader,” a title that embodies both admiration and challenge, reflecting his deep respect for Reagan’s unwavering commitment to combating the Soviet Union. Interestingly, the KGB had been monitoring Reagan closely due to their own relentless opposition to the U.S., evident from the numerous files and recordings they amassed over time.
Just a heads up, you’ve got it right! The film features Jon Voight as a KGB officer with a thick Russian accent. It’s quite the spectacle, reminiscent of Basquiat for Republicans, although not everyone in the cast is Republican. There are some amusing moments to enjoy here. While there’s been a lot of talk about Creed’s Scott Stapp’s over-the-top Frank Sinatra portrayal, unfortunately, he doesn’t appear much on screen. Robert Davi gets more screen time as Leonid Brezhnev, and so does Kevin Dillon as Jack Warner. Xander Berkeley delivers a solid performance as George Schultz, while Mena Suvari brings an interesting attitude as Jane Wyman, Reagan’s first wife. Lesley-Anne Down gets to exclaim “Well done, cowboy!” orgasmically when she sees Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech on TV. And my 80’s-self is still puzzled by C. Thomas Howell being cast as Caspar Weinberger.
The movie’s focus on Ronald Reagan isn’t wrongly chosen, given that many historians attribute his role in bringing about the Gorbachev revolution and the fall of the Soviet Union. There are captivating stories within this context, some controversial, thought-provoking, and even those capable of igniting debate among audiences, potentially rejuvenating conservative filmmaking. However, the lack of well-developed characters makes it challenging to connect emotionally, making the film’s emphasis on specific themes rather limiting. The film barely touches upon Reagan’s personal life (with the exception of his unwavering devotion to Nancy, played by Penelope Ann Miller), and other contemporary issues are glossed over with brief montages. These elements could have added depth to the narrative and given complexity to such a historically significant figure. Yet, if the only perceived weakness in Ronald Reagan is that he was too honest, then perhaps the film wasn’t aiming to portray him as a fully-rounded human being from the outset.
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2024-08-31 19:54