The American President - 1995

Universal Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises

Directed by Rob Reiner

Cast:

Pres. Andrew Shepherd – Michael Douglas

Sydney Ellen Wade – Annette Benning

A. J. MacInerney – Martin Sheen

Lewis Rothchild – Michael J. Fox

Robin McCall – Anna Deavere Smith

Janie Basdin – Samantha Mathis

Lucy Shepherd – Shawna Waldron

Leon Kodak – David Paymer

Mrs. Chapil – Anne Haney

Sen. Bob Rumsfeld – Richard Dreyfuss

Nina Siemaszko – Beth Wade

Story: President Shepherd is coming up the end of his term and would like to have another. His campaign staff and White House staff are busy trying to get him reelected while giving him the time he needs to do his job, but there is a slight glitch in the form of a new lobbyist for environmental concerns. Sydney Ellen Wade of Virginia has been retained by an environmental lobby to get the necessary votes to pass a new bill requiring a reduction in carbon emissions in the next ten years. However, the problem does not lie in Sydney's politics or her job. President Shepherd is a widower, and he is smitten with her. They begin dating, much to the chagrin of the staff and Sydney's employer, and to the delight of Sen. Rumsfeld, a candidate for the next election and a real muckraker. Rumsfeld attacks Sydney on every possible level, using her past to try to intimate the President is being influenced by a right wing radical instead of being the President. President Shepherd feels the best way to address his allegations is to ignore them, but the staff and Sydney disagree.

Review: Okay, without a doubt this is one of my favorite romantic comedies. Michael Douglas comes off as Presidential, Annette Benning is spectacular, Martin Sheen is exceptional, and the supporting cast is marvelous. And this is all directed by Rob Reiner, the 2nd generation actor writer director who understands every aspect of film making and is not afraid to let loose with all the knowledge, power and presence required to make a first class film.

Of particular note are David Paymer, Michael J. Fox, and Anna Deavere Smith, all three exceptional character actors whose contributions add so much to the texture and tone of the film. Paymer is the perfect foil to Fox, and Anna balances them perfectly, giving a unity to the staff presence in the film.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the film is the incorporation of 'normal' events in the White House during the romance. We are not excluded or merely “clued in”, but we participate in all the activities of the President, which makes the film more realistic and visceral. The flow of the film is exceptional, since there are no explosions or other violence to distract us, and the cinematography is amazing. The sets are perfect. Rated PG-13 for a scene of sexual innuendo and a few uses of profanity, this film is far from offensive in its delivery, its demeanor, or its presentation. A classic which will enhance any collection.

The Ghost and the Darkness - 1996

Paramount Pictures, Constellation Entertainment, Douglas/Reuther Productions

Directed by Stephen Hopkins

Cast:

• Charles Remington – Michael Douglas
• Col. John Henry Patterson – Val Kilmer
• Robert Beaumont – Tom Wilkinson
• Samuel – John Kani
• Dr. David Hawthorne – Bernard Hill
• Angus Starling – Brian McCardie
• Helena Patterson – Emily Mortimer
• Abdulla – Om Puri
• Mahina – Henry Cele

Story: Based on the book written by Col. Patterson documenting his adventures in Kenya in 1898 while building a bridge over the Tsavo river, this films takes poetic license to the events. Col. Patterson is an Irishman in the service of the British Empire as an engineer with one specialty: Bridges. He is commissioned by Robert Beaumont to build a bridge for the railroad over the Tsavo river, and since he has always wanted to see Africa, he is thrilled to be going, even thought his wife, a school teacher, is expecting their first child. When he arrives in Africa, he learns of a troubling situation which has his workers frightened. A man-eating lion has killed one of the workers. He promises to “sort it out” and kills the lion on the first night. He thinks he has the problem solved, but soon afterward, another worker is killed. His workers are scared, Mr. Beaumont is upset about the delay in the schedule, and eventually sends a world famous American hunter named Charles Remington in to assist the engineer. Together, they discover these are no ordinary lions. They are killing for pleasure. After many attempts, the lions are killed, but at a high cost.

Review: Since the film was shot in South Africa, the scenery is exceptional. Like all docu-dramas, an amount of license was taken. Micheal Douglas' part in the film is fictional, but very well played and adds to the suspense of the movie. Val Kilmer gives a very quiet but determined air to the role and is supported by excellent performances by John Kani, Om Puri, and Henry Cele, all essential character actors who bring the proper balance of ethnicity and culture to the film. Tom Wilkinson plays Robert Beaumont, a man dedicated to advancing his position to the throne (“I care about my Knighthood!”), across the backs of the people he assigns the tasks. He is a self described Monster who can either make or break a career, and has no qualms about either. Overall the film is matter of fact and very ordinary, but what cannot be denied is that this happened. I have been to the Field Museum and seen the Lions of Tsavo. It is as the last line of the movie says. “If you lock eyes with them, you will be afraid.” Lots of gory scenes make this unsuitable for the children, but most teens have seen worse on their video games. Not necessarily collectible, but certainly worth a viewing, especially if you enjoy Kilmer and Douglas.