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User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9

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  1. J.RyanG.
    Jun 17, 2005
    6
    An endlessly fascinating movie, but not a great one. There is much going on here, much to be entertained by, much to be happy with. But, alas, there is not one thing, not one very simple truth, to arrive at in the end - that is, other than the notion that our leaders are complex (this, after all, would be a truth that is centuries old). A greater film would probe its characters more deeply and come up with a truth more deep.… Expand
  2. TonyB.
    Jan 20, 2006
    9
    This was one of 1998's best films, a sharp political satire that is both very nasty and very funny. Elaine May has written quite a script, and Mike Nichols has directed an excellent cast, all of whom deliver great portrayals. Special honors go to John Travolta, giving one of his best performances, Emma Thompson and Kathy Bates. Many Clinton haters wanted it to go further than it does, and many Clinton devotees felt it went to far. For me, it was just right.… Expand
  3. PatC.
    Jan 7, 2004
    8
    Travolta and Thompson are better at playing the Clintons than the Clintons. While this movie exposes them for what they are, it is otherwise as kind to them as can be. It's not that it's inaccurate, but that while being right on the mark it only scratches the surface.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    90
    Guilty, deftly orchestrated fun.
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  2. Film.com
    Reviewed by: John Hartl
    90
    It's as wise and funny and revealing as anything ever created by Mike Nichols and Elaine May.
  3. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Charles Taylor
    60
    A slack, tepid picture stuck in a no man's land between satire and drama.
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