This review originally appeared in issue 14 of THE CINEMA LASER.

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT ($35) is a sparkling romantic comedy from director Rob Reiner about a widowed American President who decides to begin dating again in an election year. Some will find the film a bit Capra-esque at times, but fortunately director Reiner does not spread the Capra-corn on too thick. The film mixes politics with romance, and manages to do justice to both aspects of the film. Rob Reiner uses a light touch, which is perfectly suited to the film’s romantic comedy aspect, and that light touch keeps the political aspect from becoming preachy. Thanks to Reiner, THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT is a definite winner. Michael Douglas stars as the American President who comes under the scrutiny of the media, as well as his political rival, once he begins dating a political lobbyist (Annette Bening). Michael Douglas brings a sense of authority, as well as humanity to the role of the President. Annette Bening, while never one of my favorite actresses, is quite pleasing in the role of the President’s girlfriend. The cast of THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT also includes the ever reliable Martin Sheen as the President’s chief of staff, Michael J. Fox turns in his best work in years as the President’s speech writer and top political aid, and Richard Dreyfuss who is suitably unsavory as the President’s political adversary vying for the top job.

Columbia TriStar has given THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT a very pleasing Letterboxed transfer. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio appears almost fully intact, the image is well detailed and the colors are nicely saturated. The digitally encoded surround sound soundtrack has an atmospheric mix, properly suited to light romantic comedy. The Sony DADC pressing had a modest number of speckles.

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THE CINEMA LASER is written, edited and published by Derek M. Germano.