The American President (1995)

The President (Michael Douglas) of the United States is a widower who will soon be running for re-election. He becomes romantically involved with an environmental lobbyist (Annette Bening) and their romance has repercussions, both political and in matters of integrity. The word Capraesque is mentioned a couple of times in THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT and it's fitting as Rob Reiner's film encompasses an old fashioned homespun view of America while wrapping it up in a new suit of clothes. Capracorn isn't my thing and I genuinely despise films like MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. But Reiner and his screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (TV's WEST WING) have cleverly remodeled the old Capra mold into a romantic comedy with political trimmings. Douglas (in one of his most likable performances) and Bening make for a marvelous couple and they're surrounded by a solid supporting cast. I could have done without Marc Shaiman's shameless underscore which is movie music at its worst. With Martin Sheen, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael J. Fox, David Paymer, Samantha Mathis, Wendie Malick, Anna Deavere Smith and John Mahoney.