Based on 384 votes and 132 reviews.
Biography of President Ronald Reagan featured struggles and triumphs, from Reagan’s formative years to end of life. The story behind great moments of his Presidency came to life, particularly his bold leadership statement: “Mr. Gorbachev, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!” And, the wall did indeed quickly came down. Dennis Quaid, Jon Voight, Kevin Sorbo, et al performance and excellent cinematography brought the Reagan Era back to life for ~ 2 hours, and evoked a renewed patriotic spirit for those who love America.
Dennis Quaid captured the humor and yet relentless warrior that Reagan was. Bring plenty of Kleenex
So many memories.
A stirring evocation of a patriot's life. Reagan struggled in his early life with his Dad's alcoholism and resulting fecklessness, but his devoted Christian mother kept things going, instilled faith and loved her sons and husband. I would have loved more on Reagan's vigorous routing of the Communists from screen union(s) during his Hollywood years. And the strategic alliance with Maggie Thatcher was short-shrifted. But how much of an event-filled life can you cram in? His accomplishments are protean- crushing the Iron Curtain, restoring faith in America, turning back to prosperity. Great job by Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller as Ronnie and Nancy. The film's art direction, sets and costumes were superb, as the settings shift from Illinois, to California, Moscow, Iceland, the White House, his beloved ranch. WARNING- SPOILER AHEAD-- The final scenes, when, years after leaving office, he must face the onset of Alzheimer's, are indescribably moving. Reagan's last ride with his horse over the ranch, while Bob Dylan performs "Don't Fence Me In", and Clint Black warbles "Country Roads, Take Me Home", is beautifully done. All the while Dennis Quaid, in character as Reagan, reads his famous letter to the country, in which he simply and honestly discloses his condition, and expresses his optimism and belief in America.
When politicians from both parties put America first.
This movie is presenting Reagan’s life through rose colored glasses. It fails to present his multiple policy failures while serving for eight years just one of those failures being the massive failure of his “trickle down” economics which did nothing for the middle class or the poor. By eliminating huge taxes on corporations and expecting those resulting profits to be “passed down” to the people the people who benefitted at the top just bought more yachts. Just exactly what is happening today with Trump’s tax cuts for the rich while he was in office. And will continue if he is allowed to try that again. More yachts ! So this movie is lacking a lot of the facts of Reagan’s terms in office.
Having lived thru his terms in office as my Cmdr in Chief, I thought I wouldn’t learn anything new, but I was wrong. The his biopic story is told from the perspective of a Soviet Spy & revealed fascinating behind the scenes detail of his personal journey & challenges from which he became one of America’s greatest Presidents as wonderfully told, written, directed & superbly portrayed in a film worthy of Oscar nominations.
Every middle and high school student should be scheduled to watch this movie in their government/history classes.
True Patriot story of our Country before the decline due to the last 4 years of Marxist rule.
Learned a bit about the history of Reagan. I so enjoyed the lifelong love story. Actors were amazing in their roles.