Date: Fri 24-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-9

Quick Words:

Douglas-Bening-Reiner-American

Full Text:

(review of film "The American President")

STD HEAD: NOW PLAYING

Douglas, In Non-Controversial Motif

By Trey Paul Alexander III

Michael Douglas has drawn a lot of attention and raked in some serious cash

for his participation in his own little sex trilogy - Fatal Attraction , Basic

Instinct and Disclosure . Such controversial films as these made some

moviegoers a bit wary of taking in any more of his pictures. His latest, The

American President , which is playing at the Crown Cine in Danbury, may

surprise those who have grown weary of Douglas' prior efforts.

Taking over a title role that was going to be essayed by Robert Redford,

Douglas is charming and dignified as Commander in Chief Andrew Shepherd, a

liberal democrat who is aiming to pass a crime bill as he closes in on a

pivotal election year (and any resemblance to President Clinton is purely

coincidental - yeah, right!). But more importantly, at least in terms of the

story's structure, Shepherd is a widower, thus opening the door for a

potential romance.

Director Rob Reiner tips us off early in the movie when Sydney Wade (Annette

Bening), a consultant brought in to work with an environmental lobby, gushes

in excitement during her first visit to the White House and notes, "I'm trying

to savor the Capraesque quality." By invoking the name of that esteemed

American director, the man behind such classics as Mr Deeds Goes to Town ,

It's A Wonderful Life and Mr Smith Goes to Washington , Reiner is cluing us in

to the film's intended disposition.

That cheery outlook is on full display during the movie's opening hour, which

is also by far its strongest. After initially clashing with Wade in a meeting

over an impending environmental bill during which she assaults his character,

Shepherd baffles her by later showing an interest in her personally.

The American President is particularly delightful in these moments, as a

sheepish Shepherd debates whether or not he should ask her to accompany him to

a state function. Writer Aaron Sorkin has some fun with the situation as he

milks it for all it is worth, ranging from Shepherd's childish pestering of

his right-hand Chief of Staff (Martin Sheen), trying to get information on

Wade, to the President's attempt to call her, only to be brusquely rebuffed

when she believes it to be a prank call.

Sorkin and Reiner also craft some interesting scenarios as Shepherd and Wade's

relationship begins to blossom. The glare of the flash bulbs begins to

brighten and the intensity of the spotlight burns brighter than ever when the

media gets wind of the couple's burgeoning romance. The heat begins to rise

for Shepherd and his approval ratings begin to dip, all while he contends his

private life has nothing to do with his presidency.

The American President works wonderfully as a romantic comedy, but falters

when it takes on more social commentary in its latter half. In contrast with

Dave , which took a nonpartisan, populist approach while preaching about the

dangers of American apathy and the need to redirect our political energies,

The American President is unabashedly left-wing in its viewpoint, thus

alienating some audience members and making its climatic moments more than

just a bit unrealistic.

Still, despite Reiner and Sorkin's apparent need to give a liberal sermon,

there are plenty enough winning moments - and a smoothly functioning cast,

including Douglas, Bening, Sheen, Michael J. Fox and Richard Dreyfuss - to

make this worth a look. Plus, locals will get a kick out of a line spoken by

Shepherd's Chief Domestic Adviser (Fox) referring to one of Danbury's noted

institutions.

The American President is rated PG-13. It contains scattered profanity and one

discreet, but suggestive, sexual situation.