The American President

PG-13

Released Nov 17, 1995

1 hr. 54 min.

Romance

Comedy

Drama

List

91%

56 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public support will guarantee his re-election. But when he falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), Shepherd's supporters question the relationship, and his approval ratings drop. As a rival presidential candidate goes on the attack, Shepherd must choose between his political career and his love for Sydney.

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Critics Consensus

A charming romantic comedy with political bite, Rob Reiner's American President features strong lead performances and some poignant observations of politics and media in the 1990s.

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Audience Member

Different kind of presidential movie - nice love story

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

Full Review

R B

This film was even worse than I remembered.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Jace E

Aaron Sorkin is one of the best screenwriters of all time. His dialogue is sharp but also subtle. He is able to create characters that are human, while simultaneously elevating them to a position of power. Quippy, throwaway lines in the first act carry to the end and are delivered with a punch. I wanted more time with the President's staff, which is probably why "The West Wing" was greenlit. The relationships and dichotomy between the President and each character was captivating, especially with Sydney. The score is powerful, the setting is elegant, and the story is seamless. Intention and obstacle are at the forefront the entire film and I loved every minute of it. Best Character: Sydney Ellen Wade Best Quote: "My name is Andrew Shepherd and I am the President." Best Scene: Drink the Sand. Best Piece of Score: "The American President" Additional Note: I wonder what it would be like to have a President like Andrew Shepherd.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

Shioka O

Nicely shot romantic comedy of middle-aged-man. maybe unrealistic but enjoyable. I expected a bit more political drama part.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/28/22

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie started out extremely great. There were some awkward moments but the plot was amazing. I was completely invested in the movie the entire time up until the end. The ending ruined it all because it ended on a cliffhanger. I didn't even get to know if he won the election or not. They didn't even make a sequel! What if they had children or got married? I will never know. This made me extremely upset and is the sole reason why I am giving this a 1. I have to live in pain forever.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A now anachronistic look at the president and his relation to the public. If you're younger than 20, you may not believe the presidency was ever this revered!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Rob Reiner

Director

Michael Douglas

President Andrew Shepherd

Annette Bening

Sydney Ellen Wade

Martin Sheen

A.J. MacInerney

Michael J. Fox

Lewis Rothschild

David Paymer

Leon Kodak

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The American President: Official Clip - White House Sleepover

2:49

The American President: Official Clip - The President's Girlfriend

2:26

The American President: Official Clip - Chief Executive of Fantasy Land

2:43

The American President: Official Clip - People Want Leadership

3:07

The American President: Official Clip - Typical First Date

2:45

The American President: Official Clip - The Flower Shop

3:01

The American President: Official Clip - Character and American Values

3:04

The American President: Official Clip - Sending Flowers

3:02

The American President: Official Clip - Presidential Dating

2:54

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Part romantic comedy, part Capra-corny political drama, this movie exudes so much sympathy, it sweats.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

With great looks, a dandy supporting cast, a zinger-filled screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and Mr. Douglas twinkling merrily in the Oval Office, The American President is sunny enough to make the real Presidency pale by comparison.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Variety

Genial middlebrow fare that coasts a long way on the charm of its two stars.

Feb 13, 2001

Full Review

Don Shanahan

25YL (25 Years Later)

What makes both Douglas's president and the movie itself victorious classics is the combination of edge and enchantment.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2020

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

When the focus is on romantic comedy, the film is breezy and amusing; but when it switches to dramas involving fundraising and campaigning, it grows stickier.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 9, 2020

Full Review

Mary Nemeth

Maclean's Magazine

Despite lapses into sentimental corn-notably in scenes with the president's 12-year-old daughter-director Rob Reiner has crafted a whimsical fable that packs a deceptive punch.

Oct 15, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public support will guarantee his re-election. But when he falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), Shepherd's supporters question the relationship, and his approval ratings drop. As a rival presidential candidate goes on the attack, Shepherd must choose between his political career and his love for Sydney.

Director: Rob Reiner
Executive Producer: Charles Newirth, Jeffrey Stott
Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Columbia Tristar, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Castle Rock Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $59.0M
Sound Mix: Surround

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