The American President
The American President Image
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Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    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. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    80
    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.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Ian Nathan
    80
    Of course it's hokey and silly, but Reiner really knows how to skirt potential schmaltz and there is a political backbone to the piece which gives it reassuring depth.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    60
    Genial and entertaining if not notably inspired. But its most interesting aspect turns out to be fantasies of another kind, pipe dreams about the American political system and where it could theoretically be headed.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. johnBMWguy
    10
    This is a well crafted motion picture from beginning to end. You can feel yourself going through time to a simpler time. The cast and the acting that they do is perfect from top to bottom if there if a bottom. This movie is in my top ten along with Casablanca and Citizen Kane. Try this movie and I promise that you will not be disappointed.… Expand
  2. peterd
    10
    Flawless romantic fantasy with all of the pleasure of being inside the presidency - later to be turned into the West Wing.
  3. DarkKnightV
    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.… Expand

See all 4 User Reviews

Trailers

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