(Originally published on blogcritics.org)
Reagan, the new biography of Ronald Reagan from Mark Joseph’s MJM Entertainment, stands out from other films about presidents in structure and intensity. Staring Dennis Quaid as the actor turned world leader, this mesmerizing film also brings a team of other prominent Hollywood names to assist in telling the story of perhaps the most iconic president of the twentieth century. And, if you lived through the Reagan years, the film will probably touch you on a deeply emotional level.
The story details Reagan’s small-town beginnings, working as a lifeguard, then a radio announcer and finally finding his way to acting. It is a classic American success story but told in a different way – as seen by a KGB agent.
How Russian
Most biographies start at the beginning and work their way forward or consist of a series of flashbacks. The story in Reagan unfolds more like Memento or Molly’s Game, starting in one place, jumping back, and reversing direction again. This is achieved by a unique approach.
A young, contemporary Russian, researching why the Soviet Union fell apart, contacts an elderly former KGB intel operative and psychologist Viktor Petrovich, played by Jon Voight. Petrovich explains to him, “You ask the wrong question. History is never about when, why, how. It always comes down to who.”
The “who” Petrovich has in mind: Ronald Reagan, whom Petrovich was sent to gather intel on during the Hollywood blacklist hearings of the 1950’s. Petrovich explains the Soviet Union’s fall as the counterpoint to Ronald Reagan’s rise. From Petrovich’s perspective the story builds to the “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” moment.
Amazing Cast
Dennis Quaid’s intense, yet amusing, acting makes you forget at times that you are not actually watching Ronald Reagan. Besides Quaid, the film includes other great performances. Penelope Ann Miller (Murder at Hollow Creek, Carlito’s Way) as Nancy Reagan will touch your heart. From a charming meet-cute to the ultimate good-bye, she embodies love, loyalty and dedication to her husband.
Reagan interacted with so many people over the years, watching the parade of personalities and, if you lived through the era, faces, turns into half the fun of the movie.
Mena Suvari plays Reagan’s first wife, thoroughly unlikeable Hollywood actress Jane Wyman. Lesley-Anne Down (The Bold and the Beautiful) does an amazing job as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Kevin Dillon plays movie mogul Jack Warner with whom Reagan has a career negating run-in. Pat Boone and Kevin Sorbo have cameos as ministers.
Because the film extends over the many decades of Reagan’s life, showing people at different stages of life was a challenge. For some actors, make-up and VFX do the trick. In other cases, for instance the character of Ronald Reagan’s mom, Nelle Reagan, we see Amanda Righetti as Young Nelle and Jennifer O’Neill as Older Nelle.
Making the Film
The Reagan team consulted over 50 people who knew Ronald Reagan and read the Reagan biography The Crusader by Paul Kengor. They decided on screenwriter Howard Klausner to create the script. Klausner had previously written Space Cowboys for Clint Eastwood.
The shoot began in the fall of 2020 and was one of the few large productions to start up during the COVID epidemic. Sean McNamara, known for Soul Surfer, directed, and despite two shutdowns, the filming completed in 2021.
Many virtual effects were needed during post-production. De-aging or aging actors, as the story stretched over 50 years, had to be accomplished. Also, COVID limited the number of extras, so scenes that required crowds had to be created virtually.
A scene critical to the story was the shooting down of Korean Airlines flight 007 in 1983 by the Soviet Union. This was also created virtually.
Personal Moments
If you are a boomer like me, who lived through the Reagan years, the film will doubtlessly touch you emotionally.
The film covers “The Speech”: Reagan’s first major step into the political world, speaking out in support of the presidential candidacy of Barry Goldwater. I was a sophomore in high school and the morning after “The Speech”, I wrote “Ronald Reagan for President” on the homeroom blackboard. I got an eyeroll from my teacher before she erased it.
The film shows the anti-Vietnam war riots at UC Berkley. Ronald Reagan’s signature is on my university diploma.
The film details the assassination attempt. I was working developing photographs in a darkroom, listening to the radio, when the report came through that Reagan had been shot. I remember how not surprised I was that this had happened.
A few years later, I saw my eight-year-old daughter sitting on the living room floor, crying. I asked her, “What’s the matter?”. She said, “Teacher said today that Ronald Reagan isn’t going to be President anymore.” The film also deals with Ronald Reagan’s many good-byes.
Learn More
Reagan began showing in theaters on August 30. You can watch the trailer below. For tickets and showtimes, check the film’s website. For more information on the film, its stars and its creation, check its social media sites at Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.
