Rating: 
Summary: One of the best White House movies ever made.
Review: When I first saw this film, It immediately became one of my favorite movies. I liked how the film depicted what happens in the White House on a daily basis and how the President handles the job of running the country and dealing with international events.
Rating: 
Summary: Hillarious
Review: Beyond the personal chemistry of Benning and Douglas, some of today's political scandals are mashed into the movie. The conservative senator is outraged that a "Liberal Democrat" with 1 daughter is dating. I think too often we forget that the president (irespective of party and ideology) is a human being with the same need to be loved. This movie cheers me up everytime I watch it and can best be categorized as a dramadey.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Romance
Review: I finally stopped trying to analyze why I can watch this movie over and over and never get tired of it. It's simply a well done romance. Michael Douglas plays the type of President we all want to elect, a very "presidential" man of deep concern for his country and humanity, yet also the guy next door we could play pool and have a beer with. Only one thing bothers me about this movie. There is a basic fallacy in the premise and I think the popularity of this movie makes my point: If there were a widowed President who began dating again while in office, I don't really believe his popularity would crash, I think the exact opposite. It would be the biggest real-life romance since Chuck and Di. CNN would have live coverage of their dates and daytime talk shows would be filled with "The Romance of the Century." Their popularity would soar, and millions of hopeless romantics would be filling their tear-ducts in anticipation of an emotional and heartfelt marriage proposal during a State of the Union Address.
Rating:
Summary: Great Love Story, Fantastic Message
Review: This movie is my all-time favorite and watch it at least once a month. The chemistry between Michael Douglas and Annette Bening is very real and the dialog is fresh, snappy and inventive (especially the scene where Bening is trashing the president, unaware he is standing right behind her). Michael Douglas is able to bring the presidency down to a human level, showing the internal struggles he has to do what is right versus what is popular; it makes me want to right him is as a write-in candidate this November. Richard Dreyfuss is deliciously evil as Bob Rumson and easily brings to mind several modern senators from both parties. This movie also highlights a flaw in our modern presidency that wasn't evidenced until Clinton's impeachment: every aspect of the President is under public scrutiny. The term "personal life" is an oxymoron, and his enemies will use the slightest thing to discredit him. Even if you disagree with the liberal politics, I think everybody agrees that the president's press conference near the end should be watched by not only Pres. Clinton but by all of his successors and taken to heart. The sets themselves are phenomenal. After seeing the film I took a tour of the White House and realized just how accurate they were. Even the Secret Service agents standing guard confirmed that the sets of most of the mansion were highly accurate. The movie score is lush, romantic and patriotic without using traditional John Philip Souza or similar marches. If there's one movie you should add to your permanent collection, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: Classic romance in a facinating setting
Review: This movie is excellent. As far as romance goes, watchers can sense the chemistry between Michael Douglas and Annette Benning, and are quickly drawn in, what more could you ask for? But this movie's distinction lies in the setting. Before the Clinton era, making a sitting American President fall head over heels for you would be a storybook romance. The political aspects of the movie are great. Two thumbs up for Michael J. Fox as the George Stephanopolous figure! The frenzy of the White House involves watchers and makes them cheer even harder for the calm and peace that surrounds the romance.
Rating:
Summary: what a good movie
Review: I didn't really think that I would like this movie. The whole plot didn't sound to appealing to me, but after I saw the movie, I have to say I love it! Micheal Douglas is a believable president and Annette Bening is the perfect Cinderella-like character. This movie has the perfect mixture of love, humor, drama mixed all together. This movie is so good, it is worth buying it!
Rating:
Summary: Fun film, drags in places, but good light entertainment
Review: As a romance, the chemistry between Benning and Douglas is solid, which we don't often see lately, so it works, even though Douglas does overdo the facial expressions during his closeups, so he comes off a little patronizing. Benning gives a fine performance, but I'm sorry that the character she plays has disappointing moments. The character of Sydney Wade is described by her employer as "a pitbull", but though Benning is allowed to show this in brief scenes, mainly she dissolves into girlish silliness far too often to be a convincing portrayal of a woman in a powerful career. I also didn't appreciate how women were called "girls" in the film or Benning called herself a "girl" -- this to me is typical Hollywood softening of women's abilities, so it was a detraction for me, hence the 4 star rating. Politically, the film had some good messages, although considering that our current President's approval rating rose when he had an adulterous affair, I can't think that a widowed President having a girlfriend (never mind her politics, since she is just a "girl") would make him less popular. American's love romance of any kind, so though the film hinges on the publicity and polls, I found that unrealistic. I would like to have seen much more of Richard Dreyfus' character Bob Rumson, the political rival, though would also have liked to see him portrayed as less of an evil ultra-conservative and more of a viable contender. If you look past the Hollywood/liberal messages to the heart of this film, it is well done, well written (except for a few awkward dialog exchanges which always happened in the romantic scenes), beautifully filmed, and the actors are convincing. Life in Washington is greatly simplified, and seriousness is sacrificed to comedy, but the film has a strong moral message as well. From what I understand, Robert Redford was originally cast as the President, and this would have been an excellent opportunity for him to bring together his two major personas: the romantic and the politican. I missed him in the role, although Douglas was a good second choice.
Rating:
Summary: A Stellar Cast
Review: The cast in the American President is super. Annette Bening is the star of the movie. And Michael J. Fox leads a great supporting cast!
Rating:
Summary: That look in your eyes
Review: The scene I most adored in the film is when Michael Douglas showed Annette Bening his so-called "Dish-room" (the "China Room"). It's THE most romantic scene I've ever seen : particularly when Michael Douglas looked deeply into the eyes of Annette Bening, came closer to her, told her that he was standing in front of her AS a man and not the President, and then ...... he kissed her ! [sigh] We all want to be truly and deeply in love. It's part of our nature. And this is what the film talks about: the nature of true love; that kind of love that has and knows no boundaries; that love that can change one's life forever. Some have found it and have lost it. And this film takes a glimpse on how one can find love again once one have lost it. Thank you Rob Reiner. You're a great man in infinite ways.
Rating:
Summary: CHARM CHARM CHARM
Review: With a bit more breezy charm and a little less office politics, this wonderfully warm and surprisingly enchanting romantic comedy resembles at first glance The West Wing, the current White House drama series on NBC. Rob Reiner directs this handsome movie with a light touch, yet the movie looks beautiful. Respectful of the highest office in the world, the movie playfully gets inside, but never pulls the rug out from under its comedic tone, which is key to its success. Annette Bening has never been more appealing; her comedic skills nearly overshadow her scene-stealing emotional moments, and Michael Douglas has the bigness in presence, charm and sheer physical prowess that make his president entirely believable. The big fanfare of the gorgeous musical score provides a patriotic undertone to this entirely American story; like the best sexually charged comedies from the 1940s (Hepburn/Tracy, etc.), this movie has a big heart, and wins your completely.
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