Reagan 2024 - Movie Review
Movie Name: Reagan 2024
Channel: In Theatres
Language: English
Genre: Biopic of American President Ronald Reagan
**Note** - This review contains spoilers
Recommendation: It is a Great movie that falls short of Must See. See the conclusion for an explanation
I belong to the generation that saw Ronald Reagan as president, live, on my TV screen, even though I was a whole hemisphere away. I was also old enough to understand the narratives around him, the non-ivy league-educated, failed actor, cowboy who turned to politics. I remember the newspaper reports from when he was first elected - What would this man who viewed economics and space missiles through a simplistic lens, do as Leader of the Free world? Why would one of the world's most educated, English-speaking populace choose a President based on his enigmatic smile and oratory skills? I also remember with deep clarity the scene near the German wall of the same Actor President as he asked his Soviet counterpart to bring down the Wall. And I also remember his transformation in the newspapers in the years between.
These are the years that the biopic with his name has focused on. They interspersed stories from his pre-political years to explain his mindset, who or what influenced him, and how he came to be the man who was President. But these were in snippets and not documentary style. This made the movie-watching interesting and fast-paced. I think it also kept focus on what made him truly famous and didn't dilute the time spent on his actions.
Was this a propaganda film for Reagan or Republicans: I think the biopic was made by someone who liked Ronald Regan enough to study him and embrace him, warts and all. That's how it should be. What is a biopic if not the garland of respect and love? The people who played a role in this film also exhibited that reverence from a place of affection. This does not mean they avoided all the failings. The movie did showcase the failed actor, the failed first marriage, the Iceland debacle, and the Iran contra affair. They used these storylines to showcase how his charm and general likeableness got him through his life, blunting the negativity somewhat.
The biopic also did a splendid job of showcasing his love stories. I think he was the first Leader of the world who wore his heart on his sleeve and made loving one's spouse dearly, a coveted trait. I actually enjoyed his other love story, the platonic one that showcased his friendship with Tip from across the aisle even more. That they could tear each other down during the work day and then be 2 friends sharing a drink in the evening, is a mesmerizing political trait I would love to see again!
What took away from the movie for me, somewhat was ironically the person who played Ronald Reagan. I will admit, I was really looking forward to Dennis Quaid playing this role. He, I thought had the natural affability and general likeness to bring this to life. Ronald Reagan in real life was this ever-smiling, lovable, larger-than-life personality, who could command a stage(screen) with his presence and hold the audience spellbound with his oratory skills and gravitas. Sadly, the makeup team failed to bring DQ to look anything like RR and no amount of smiling and playacting could fill the charisma of President Reagan's personality. To me, DQ completely failed. This is a movie that should have had me gushing as I was completely captured by the script and storyline. Yet I came out really wishing I could erase DQ and by extension the movie from my memory bank. This is a really painful admission for me.
I also did not like that the movie was narrated from the perspective of a retired KGB agent. I can't put my finger on how or why that left a sour spot but it did.
Conclusion: Despite my views on Dennis Quaid, I still think this movie should be watched by all those interested in the current political process in America. To those on one side of the aisle, it showcases, how a deep patriot without stellar academic credentials transformed the economy, architected nuclear disarmament, and laid the foundation of communist downfall with his understanding of human Psyche and simple solutions. Sometimes the simple answer is the correct answer and one does not need a Law degree or political experience to make this happen.
For those on the other side of the aisle, it showcases a Great America that can be built by a true patriot who brought people together. Not just those from the other side of the political aisle, but also on the other side of political ideology or complete opposite side of history. You can do greater things when you take people with you instead of divide and conquer. It is a humbling narrative.
To all of us., it is a timely reminder of the greatness of the political constitution of the world's greatest democracy.