My past in politics, and of course the introduction to the subject came to me as a teenager in the form of a recommendation from a high school crush, and the movie we’re about to talk about.

Buy a new TV on Amazon HERE

“The American President” has arrived on Peacock, and the Aaron Sorkin penned 1995 drama starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening would serve as something of a primer for “The West Wing” NBC drama that would inspire a whole generation of politicos just a couple of years later.

Douglas plays President Alan Shepherd, a widowed commander in chief, who gets introduced to Bening’s Sydney Ellen Wade, an environmental lobbyist picked to move an important piece of legislation. Of course, dating a president comes with both the elegance and tabloid pitfalls of the lifestyle. Including the attacks of a politicians enemies. Played here by Richard Dreyfuss.

While we were introduced to Sorkin’s audibly addictive dialog in “A Few Good Men”, it really sings here. These fine actors springboard off of his words to provide some prime political drama. One of the best scenes features Martin Sheen as Shepherd’s Chief of Staff, who would later take the Oval Office himself in the TV show (different character) and a scene with Michael J. Fox at his best, which describes the importance of communicating policies with a sincerity that is unheard of these days.

As a romance, it also works. Douglas and Bening are on top of their game, and it floats seamlessly.

If you’re a “West Wing” fan and “The American President” has somehow evaded you, you need to watch it tonight. You’ll fall in love with political dramas all over again.

The American President

Grade (1995): A

Grade (2024): A

What did you think of The American President? Let me know in the comments.

And if you enjoyed this blog post, please consider helping out below. Thank you!

As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases