The American President

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The American President

PG-13

1995

1h 54m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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 The American President features strong lead performances and some poignant observations of politics and media in the 1990s.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

06/24/2006

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

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

05/20/2003

3.5/5

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.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

02/13/2001

As a lightly amusing sentimental fantasy, "President" is genial and entertaining if not notably inspired.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Dec 25

5/5

Over 30 years after its release, The American President plays as a sobering portrait of principled leadership that feels increasingly rare.

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Don Shanahan

25YL (25 Years Later)

11/06/2020

4/5

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

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/09/2020

6/10

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.

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William R

@MileHighMilk 6d

Charming movie with solid acting.

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Tim M

@tgmacman Dec 31

The American President finds Aaron Sorkin entering somewhat formulaic territory, but his dialogue remains reliably sizzling with capable actors to realize it.

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Russell S

@Rschiwal Dec 27

It's what you would expect as a political drama made by Rob Reiner. Excellently crafted leftist idealism. It's especially schlocky when you consider the fact that Bill Clinton was president at the time. The actual President at the time was banging dozens of women. When the press found out about his fling with an intern, he bombed a small country to distract us. Take away the political slant, and it has its charming moments.

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Glen F

@Caddisboy Dec 17

With what’s going on in the country today, This was a very nice reprieve. Just a sweet movie with no major entanglements.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Aug 29

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 1

Funny in 1 hour and 54 minutes.

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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

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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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
Producer: Rob Reiner
Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Columbia Tristar, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Universal Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises
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
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround

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