The Reagans (2003) (TV)

Director:

Robert Allan Ackerman

Writers (WGA):

Carl Sferrazza Anthony (book)
Jane Marchwood (written by) ...

Release Date:

30 November 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

The film they didn't want you to see!

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Filmmaking | First Lady | Cold War | Politics | Biographical

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

Judy Davis	...	Nancy Reagan
James Brolin	...	Ronald Reagan
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Michael Deaver
Mary Beth Peil	...	Edith Davis
Bill Smitrovich	...	Alexander Haig
Shad Hart	...	Ron Reagan Jr.
Zoie Palmer	...	Patti Reagan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kyle Allatt	...	Angry Student
Alicia Bacile	...	Patti Reagan (teenage)
Tom Barnett	...	Michael Reagan
Rodger Barton	...	Bud McFarlane
Claudia Besso	...	Doria Reagan
Stewart Bick	...	Lew Wasserman
Brandon Blue	...	Ronald Reagan at 17
Terence Bowman	...	AFL-CIO Leader
Lorne Brass	...	Surgeon. Dr. Greenberg
Tatiana Chouljenko	...	Raisa Gorbachev
Leslie Cottle	...	Woman at Party
Elizabeth de la Chevrotière	...	Protestor
Christopher Dyson	...	Bernie Leadon
Tod Fennell	...	Michael Reagan
Mariah Inger
Don Jordan	...	Dance Teacher
Patrick Kerton	...	Stunt cowboy
Marina Lapina	...	Russian Translator
Sean McCann	...	George Schultz
Frank Moore	...	Don Regan
John Sanford Moore	...	Debate Moderator
Lisa Bronwyn Moore	...	Kathy Reynolds
Lubomir Mykytiuk	...	Gorbachev
Omari Newton	...	Angry Protester
Sean Palmer	...	Tony
Sohee Park	...	Tony's Assistant
Mike Paterson	...	Homeless Activist #2
Laura Press	...	Betsy Bloomingdale
Kevin Ryder	...	Campaign Aide
Linda Smith	...	Doris
John Stamos	...	John Sears
Ryan Tilson	...	Michael Reagan Age 5
Linda Tomassone	...	Dorm Girl
Tanya Trombetta	...	Young Patti Davis Reagan
Harald Winter	...	Kohl's Assitant
Kevin Woodhouse	...	Hinckley
Brian Wrench	...	Reporter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Sony Pictures Television

Trivia:

The producers could not find any house in Montreal that looked like a "California modern" 1950s house, so they had to build the Reagan family's house on a set. The crew was always running into its many glass walls.

Goofs:

Factual errors: President Jimmy Carter phones Reagan to concede the 4 November 1980 election when there is still bright afternoon sunshine at Reagan's house in California. In actuality, Carter called to concede about 6pm Pacific Time, which would have been dusk at Reagan's house.

Quotes:

President Ronald Reagan: If you don't mind, this administration has to pee.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs "Saturday Night Live" (1975)

Anyhow...

Despite the huge wave of bad buzz surround this biopic, it actually was not half bad (the brief John Stamos cameo notwithstanding). James "Mr. Streisand" Brolin delivered a consistent performance, especially as Reagan toward the end of his presidency. The true star of this network mini-series come cable-pic is Judy Davis, who captures "Nancy Pants," as Ronnie refers to her in the film, with remarkable warmth and brief moments of manic intensity. The depiction of the Reagan children was humorous in a transparent, two-dimensional kinda way (like the Brady Bunch on acid).

The biographical tone and pacing of the film ran similar to Oliver Stone's Nixon. Unlike Nixon, who everyone suspected was a dirtbag, seeing the Reagans behind the curtains is rather fascinating. In the end, Reagan supporters have nothing to gripe about as the film's final consideration of Reagan is in the light of a truly well-meaning gentleman. Granted there is a certain sensitivity to various specific elements within the film, given Reagan's current health situation, but all the hype aside, it was genuinely interesting to watch. 7 out of 10.