The American President (1995)

Directed by: Rob Reiner | 114 minutes | drama, comedy, romance | Actors: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith, Samantha Mathis, Shawna Waldron, David Paymer, Anne Haney, Richard Dreyfuss, Nina Siemaszko, Wendie Malick, Beau Billingslea, Gail Strickland, Joshua Malina

Andrew Shepherd is not only the President of the United States, but also the single father of Lucy (Shawna Waldron) after the death of his wife. Between all the acts he manages to find time for her upbringing. During a meeting at the White House, he falls in love with Sydney Ellen Wade and asks her out. Lucy and Sydney get to know each other well and they like each other. That tricky barrier has been broken down quite easily.

It can be difficult for an ordinary man and a single father to start a new relationship, but for a president with a life under a magnifying glass, staff who can arrange everything for him and a chock-full agenda where everyone wants something from him, that is extra difficult. One of the lesser problems is that he would like to give Sydney roses, but at least he can’t do it over the phone. After all, who believes that the president orders a bunch of flowers that way? More difficult for their budding love are the political opponents who do not shy away from any means to mercilessly bring Shepherd down, such as Senator Bob Rumson, played villainously by Richard Dreyfuss.

There are those movies that just make the viewer feel good and ‘The American President’ is one of them. Director Rob Reiner previously made the super hit ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989), but this comedy is more balanced, faster in pace and at the same time milder in tone. Reiner, of course, has a fantastic cast at his disposal. The unsurpassed Martin Sheen plays Shepherd’s loyal assistant who, at the right times, abandons his official role and serves his college friend with love advice. After dramatic roles such as ‘The Grifters’ (1990) and ‘Regarding Henry’ (1991), Annette Bening also easily takes on this witty role. Her dismay when she unwittingly insults the president twice on the day they meet is very funny. Michael Douglas only surpasses this role in ‘Wonderboys’ (2000), in which he is once not smooth and good-looking, but vulnerable in love. Heart warming.