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Jeff M

I was 8 years old when the events of this HBO movie transpired, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I even had a recurring nightmare of Reagan being kidnapped while visiting my town. James and Sarah Brady are heroes of the gun control movement, and their efforts should never be minimalized. But that doesn't necessarily make for compelling movie making. Despite strong performances by both Bridges and Allen, this is ultimately an average television movie not unlike other average television movies of its era. It feels like a Wikipedia version of actual events, and while I was naturally compelled by the story itself, there is nothing particularly special or extraordinary about this biopic. I'm glad it exists, particularly for those not as familiar with what happened March 30, 1981, but as a cinematic event, it's sadly nothing special.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

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Audience Member

Sometimes things in life happen without giving us a warning Beau Bridges is James Brady, the press secretary man who took a bullet for Ronald Reagan during the 1981 presidential election The shooter was John Hickley, Jr. Regan survived but Brady had to deal with his faced being severely injured and being nearly crippled from the waist down His wife, Sarah played by Joan Allen stays by his side It takes all his strength to get back to his duties with intense physical therapy and learning to use his verbal skills again This also leads James to pursue more strict gun control laws henceforth the passing of the Brady Bill This is one of Beau Bridges' most committed performances as a man not asking for pity or sympathy but for not to have anyone go through what he did Short but shows how someone is still capable of doing his job despite the limitations

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

A plain and dull film. The performances were average.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

Might've been done better

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Michael Toshiyuki Uno

Director

Beau Bridges

James Brady

Joan Allen

Sarah Brady

David Strathairn

Dr. Art Kobrine

Bryan Clark

Ronald Reagan

Steven Flynn

John Hinckley

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, this film focuses on James Brady (Beau Bridges), the press secretary to Ronald Reagan (Bryan Clark) who was severely injured in an attempt on the president's life. When John Hinckley Jr. (Steve Flynn) tries to kill Reagan, he also shoots Brady. Although Brady recuperates, he is left partially paralyzed and continues to heal with the support of his wife, Sarah (Joan Allen). The shooting inspires Brady to seek stricter gun control laws, resulting in the Brady Bill.

Director: Michael Toshiyuki Uno
Producer: David Puttnam
Screenwriter: Mollie Dickenson
Production Co: Enigma Productions, HBO Pictures
Rating: R, TV-MA
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2018
Runtime: 1h 27m

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