Greetings again from the darkness. The opening credits provide a brief visual reminder of the Cold War, a period mostly forgotten (or never really learned) by those under age 60. Unfortunately, the intro is about as complete as a tweet would be today, so it doesn’t work as a history lesson for those who don’t already know. The same could be said for this biopic from director Sean McNamara (VINDICTA, 2023). For those wondering why so many idolize former President Ronald Reagan and cherish those years under his leadership, McNamara’s film serves up a tribute to the man who was elected as the 40th President of the United States. Think of this as an airbrushed look back, as most of the blemishes have been erased.
Screenwriter Howard Klausner (SPACE COWBOYS, 2000) adapted Paul Kengor’s 2006 book, “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism”. Dennis Quaid stars as Reagan and expertly captures some of the familiar mannerisms of the man who had numerous nicknames throughout his life: “Dutch” (from his mom), “The Gipper” (from his movie, KNUTE ROCKNE, ALL AMERICAN), “Rawhide” (his Secret Service handle), and “The Great Communicator” (for his ability to connect with folks during speeches).
The film opens on Reagan’s 1981 speech to the AFL-CIO as he’s telling one of his patented jokes. He then proceeds out of the building where the sequence mixes in actual footage of him taking a bullet from close range … a shot that nearly took his life. The shooter (Hinkley) is not mentioned by name here. Not told in complete chronological order, McNamara does outline Reagan’s Midwest upbringing, including his stint as a lifeguard. Handsome and charming, we see how Reagan capitalized on both to become an actor, spokesperson, SAG President, and Governor of California before taking that biggest step to the White House.
Oscar winner Jon Voight plays Viktor Petrovich, a Russian KGB Agent, who provides the structure of the film by progressively debriefing rising Russian politician Andrei Novikov (Alex Sparrow) on the decades of observation and research conducted on Reagan. This runs us through Reagan’s first marriage to actress Jane Wyman (Mena Suvari) and subsequent marriage to his true love, Nancy Davis (Penelope Ann Miller). Ronnie and Nancy were devoted to each other and the movie emphasizes this, while not delving too deeply into Ms. Reagan’s propensity to get involved in many White House meetings.
The arms control negotiations between Reagan and the Russians are fairly interesting. First, it’s Leonid Brezhnev (Robert Davi) followed by a few Russian Premier deaths, until Mikhail Gorbachev (Oleg Krupa) arrives, leading to some colorful discussions culminating with Reagan’s “tear down this wall” speech. It’s through Voight’s character that we learn the Russians had their own nickname for Reagan: “The Crusader”. Many recognizable names of the era are present and played by familiar actors. These include Dan Lauria as Tip O’Neill, an unrecognizable and rarely seen these days Leslie-Anne Down as Margaret Thatcher, an unrecognizable and rarely seen these days Jennifer O’Neill as Nelle Reagan, Xander Berkeley as George Schulz, C Thomas Howell as Caspar Weinberger, and Pat Boone as Rev. George Otis (in a scene with an actor portraying singer Pat Boone).
There is no emphasis on either Bonzo the Chimp or the Iran-Contra affair, but it does touch on Reagan’s primary loss to Gerald Ford, the debates with Carter and Mondale, and we see the ever-present jellybeans. De-aging technology is used, especially obvious on Jon Voight, and the “Evil Empire” and Star Wars defense system have their moments. It’s a very favorable and complimentary look at a man who led a fascinating and interesting life before Alzheimer’s forced him to take a final horseback ride across his beloved ranch, and issue a statement to the public. While it won’t be mistaken as hard-hitting journalism, Ronald Reagan’s life is worthy of celebration and the film does just that.
Beginning November 1, 2024, it’s available Video on Demand, and on Blu-ray beginning November 19, 2024
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 