Posted on 09/09/2024 6:52:44 PM PDT by Antoninus
Is anyone surprised that the critics have absolutely savaged the new film, Reagan?
I'm not.
As a teenager in the 1980s, I came of age during the era when the likes of Dan Rather, Sam Donaldson, and Connie Chung savaged President Reagan on TV every single night. It was then at the pre-dawn of my political awareness that I started asking myself why such a folksy, likeable, patriotic American president like Ronald Reagan was so hated by seemingly everyone on the nightly news. Why did these talking heads despise him so much, while the actual human beings in my life—my parents and other adults I respected—did not?
It wasn't until somewhat later that I realized that President Reagan was an anomaly. In an era when everyone was supposedly anti-communist, but most American politicians were just faking it, Ronald Reagan was a true believer. He recognized the threat that militant, expansionist international communism represented. He was keenly aware that this threat possessed the ability to destroy the United States—on the military level with the thousands of Soviet nuclear ICBMs pointed at us; on the political level by infiltrating and subverting our cherished institutions; and on the spiritual level by spreading propaganda to convince Americans that God and religion were useless fictions and that Christianity was particularly pernicious.
Reagan not only recognized this threat, he was fiercely determined to fight it.
This is what made Reagan so different from his flaccid predecessor, Jimmy Carter. This is what set Reagan apart from his insincere globalist successor, George H. W. Bush. Unlike previous Republicans such as Richard Nixon, Reagan was not interested in détente—in lowering tensions through diplomacy. He realized that détente only made the US weaker, while the Soviets and other communist nations grew stronger because they never had any intention of holding up their ends of the bargain. Détente was always a one-way street which led, inevitably, to defeat for America.
And Reagan was interested in victory—in securing peace for America by standing up to thugs and bullies on the world stage.
All of this comes through very clearly in the newly-released film, Reagan.
I entered the theater to see this film with some trepidation. Films which seek to portray unique historical figures who were alive during the living memory of the viewer can often seem contrived or become parody. But once Dennis Quaid appeared on screen in the primary role, any sense of strangeness wore off within minutes. After that, Quaid became Reagan. Indeed, by the end of the film, he almost became more Reagan than the man himself. Quaid should be congratulated for a truly stellar performance that likely would have earned him an Academy Award in the era before the entertainment industry became captive to the political hard left.
Biopics about individuals who lived such long and eventful lives can also suffer from trying to do too much in two hours. This defect may be found in Reagan, but the pacing of the film is so good that the viewer is engaged throughout and never gets lost in the weeds.
But where the film really shines is simply conjuring the halcyon days of the 1970s and 1980s. The sets and costuming were beautifully created and highly evocative of the era. Period music such as Land of Confusion by Genesis helped enhance the drama, while a few well-placed if unexpected covers—like Bob Dylan singing Don't Fence Me In over the end credits—provided the proper atmosphere.
The other aspect of Reagan that really appealed to me—and will likely provide no end of irritation to your standard leftist reviewer—is the storytelling. The film is told in retrospect from the point of view of an elderly KGB agent, played effectively by John Voight. The agent has come to terms with the defeat of the USSR and finds himself explaining to a young, up-and-coming Russian politician how it all happened. These scenes will be triggering to our present-day friends on the left. They don't like to be reminded about how much they adored and apologized for the Russians from the 1960s through the 1980s. They also don't like to be reminded of how the Evil Empire came crashing down in the early 1990s, despite their insistence at the time that the Soviets were ascendant. And they get particularly uncomfortable when people start asking why they cozied up to the communist Russians prior to 1990, but utterly despise the post-Soviet Russians of our own time. These inconvenient questions alone suffice to explain the terrible reviews this fine film has garnered from the usual suspects.
But even absent the political overtones (to which I admittedly have a strong predisposition) this is simply a solid, feel-good film. It's a love story between Ron and Nancy. It's a regular-guy-makes-good story. And, it's a solid history lesson. Throughout the film, I found myself leaning over to my wife, saying: "That actually happened."
One historical incident portrayed in the film that I had to look up afterwards was the visit of Democrat House Speaker Tip O'Neill to Reagan's hospital room after the president was shot in March of 1981. In this scene, O'Neill is shown with a Rosary in his hand, praying the 23rd Psalm with the wounded Reagan. Did this actually happen? Yes, it did. You see, in those days, there were still a few Democrats who believed in God. Regarding the assassination attempt, there is also a statement from the KGB agent in the film that it wasn't their idea. Then, later in the film, it is hinted that someone in our own government may have played a role. Now that is something I had never heard of or considered, but apparently, the theory is out there.
The historical aspects of the film were greatly enhanced by the reel at the end showing photos and video clips of the man himself. The footage of his beloved Nancy approaching his coffin may evoke a tear or two.
In sum, if you're a child of the 1980s, go see this film. I guarantee you'll get a kick out of it. If you're the child of parents who grew up in the 1980s, go see this film. It will give you some insight into why your parents behave as they do.
And for heaven's sake, don't pay any attention to the critics. They hated Reagan in the 70s and 80s. They hate Reagan now for the exact same reasons.
Reagan hasn't changed.
And neither have they.
Well, I didn’t like the movie very much.
Love Reagan though!
To be clear, from a purely filmmaking and artistic standpoint, I didn’t like the movie.
Very good movie. Saw it last weekend.
I still remember the smirking mug of that ah Sam Donaldson.
I don’t think his TV career lasted very long after the end of the Reagan administration.
Maybe he retired to tend to his mohair operation.
I’ll have to wait until I can stream it at home. Costs waaayyy too much to go to a theatre to see it and there’s only one in my town and it’s trashed out.
And my vehicle would be trashed out when I came out of the theatre, as well.
I loved the movie… laughed and wept !
You know it’s going to be linear and cheeeezy. From that point of view it was nice.
They hated Reagan and W like they hate Trump. Also Palin and Dan Quayle.
HW didn’t seem to attract the same level of vitriol nor did Romney or McCain although they were all disparaged and maligned.
Really want to see this. Even if just to give it ratings.
Husband and I are Children of the ‘80s. Our son is a teen now. He’s the son of ‘80s Kids. I guess we all have to see it.
Five of the eight people mentioned in your post are disparaged here quite regularly, except Quayle who is rarely mentioned.
>> To be clear, from a purely filmmaking and artistic standpoint, I didn’t like the movie.
Seriously? It’s among the best movies I have seen my whole life — both the content AND the filmmaking. Then again, I don’t watch a whole lot of movies. Most of them are crap. The “coming attractions” trailers in our showing of Reagan were for Beetlejuice and Transformers, and those just about made me puke with the open transhumanism on display.
>> Did [the KGB psychologist studying Reagan] really happen or was it a device?
I have exactly the same question. For now I’m going with “device”.
All this criticism and hatred of a movie about Reagan is illuminating.
Forever we are being told by the RINOs and by the Left that ‘Reagan wouldn’t recognize this party.” or “I am a Reagan Republican.” or “Reagan’s legacy is tarnished by Trump.” or or or.
BUT!!!! When push comes to shove and Reagan appears on the scene again, as a movie, those who claim his mantle and who decry the tarnishing of his legacy end up HATING him with a PASSION all over again. They show their true colors and are triggered anew.
Never forget, they hated Reagan then as much as they hate Trump now. The vitriol and venom they spew at Trump is not new. It was not brought on by Trump. It has ALWAYS been there. The same old RINOs hated him and sabotaged him then, and have still would now. They have passed on that trait to the new RINOs who hate Trump in the same manner.
And the Left, anytime they invoke Reagan it is a joke.
Yes the cinematic output these days leaves much to be desired. This is true.
“Reagan” was typical of a classic propaganda piece, but geared for people like me who already agree with the political premise?
I felt treated like a sheep who is unable to handle the thought of their shepherd being anything less than Christlike. As though I wouldn’t be able to reconcile Reagan’s greatness with any of this flaws. Or Reagan’s faith, with any of his deviations.
I would have much preferred a narrative about a heroic yet complicated man.
The portrayal of women was particularly “cringe” including of Prime Minister Thatcher, the Iron Lady herself...there was a voter who answered the door that was a very “dumb blonde” type caricature, Nancy was WAY too one-dimensional, of course the Reagan children got barely any airtime as they were famously estranged from their parents on and off in real life. (Too much dirty laundry to air there?)
Didn’t like the portrayal of Russians/Soviet. Also too simplistic.
I especially didn’t appreciate the portrayal of Reagan’s first wife, Jane. She was presented as superficial and unsympathetic — in an effort to avoid the idea that Ronald himself had any role in the breakdown of his marriage?
And finally, I am wearied out by Evangelical-leaning moviemaking in general...The presentation of faith is too formulaic for my liking.
It was like an old fashion Hollywood movie from the 1940’s. America was better then and so were the movies. The style of the movie is perfect for a 1940’s movie star. I loved the movie just like I loved Ronald Reagan.
Thanks for the great review. I’ve been wanting to see it. The past 10 days have been crazy busy, for a retired guy. I will probably go on Wednesday.
I’ve been a bit hesitant, because.. RR was a such a hero to me. He was my first vote for a President, and I STILL have not come close to being as proud of a presidential vote as I was for that one. Reagan is one of my very few “heroes”... him, and Rush.
Reagan completely changed my view of government. I was so cynical, I thought it was ALWAYS bad. He taught me, that it mattered who we elected. Good people can do good things... like, indexing tax rates to inflation. Every American who pays income tax, STILL gets a tax cut every year because of this.
I briefly dated a girl in college whose father was a full Colonel in the Air Force. They’d lived in California for several years while Reagan was Governor. When I met them, he was in Austin. They HATED Reagan. I just couldn’t understand it. Eventually, this ended our relationship.
Ronald Reagan has been the greatest President of my lifetime, and no one else is even close. I miss him, dearly.
What a wonderful, wonderful piece of writing.
Best President in my lifetime. Well, I was alive with Ike but do not remember him. I remember from JFK on. Made me feel good as the movie was about that period in which we defeated the USSR without firing a shot. Now Putin is trying to bring the USSR back by force. Obama and Biden/Harris wanted this. Why, I do not know.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.