User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11

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  1. peterd
    Oct 21, 2006
    10
    Flawless romantic fantasy with all of the pleasure of being inside the presidency - later to be turned into the West Wing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MarcD.
    Dec 23, 2004
    9
    A holiday crowd-pleaser. If you like "West Wing", this is the one that started it all.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. May 3, 2011
    7
    A fun political rom-com. As a huge fan of "The West Wing," I thought it was fun to see the film that started it all, but also had higher expectations of the dialogue and writing. It was also a little weird seeing Martin Sheen as the chief of staff.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. 100
    Watching The American President, I felt respect for the craft that went into it: the flawless re-creation of the physical world of the White House, the smart and accurate dialogue, the manipulation of the love story to tug our heartstrings.
  2. 63
    It comes across as painfully politically correct, offering trite sermons on various "hot-button" issues (gun control and the greenhouse effect). The narrative follows an unwavering by-the-numbers strategy with an ending that echoes the "cornball" of Al Pacino's climactic Scent of a Woman speech.
  3. With great looks, a dandy supporting cast, a zinger-filled screenplay by Aaron Sorkin ("A Few Good Men") and Mr. Douglas twinkling merrily in the Oval Office, The American President is sunny enough to make the real Presidency pale by comparison.