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Reagan is an American biographical drama film directed by Sean McNamara and written by Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord, based on Paul Kengor's 2006 book The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. The film stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan. Penelope Ann Miller, Robert Davi, Lesley-Anne Down and Jon Voight feature in supporting roles.

Principal photography on the film began on September 9, 2020, and included locations such as Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Reagan is theatrically released in the United States on August 30, 2024.

Plot[]

In 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivers a speech at the Washington Hilton, and is shot and wounded as he departs. In present-day Moscow, Russian agent Andrei Novikov arrives at the home of former KGB agent Viktor Petrovich, and questions why the Soviet Union fell. Petrovich, who was assigned to surveil Reagan, discusses the Soviet Union's past ambitions to infiltrate Washington, D.C. and Hollywood. Petrovich details Reagan's childhood in northern Illinois. Reagan's father Jack was an alcoholic, but his mother Nelle instills Reagan with Christian values.

Reagan becomes a born again Christian, and works as a lifeguard and radio announcer. He moves to Hollywood, where he becomes an actor for Warner Bros. After World War II, Reagan's status as a leading man is in decline, and he is elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1947. During the Hollywood blacklist, Reagan becomes a FBI informant and feuds with Herbert Sorrell, a union organizer. Reagan's marriage to actress Jane Wyman ends in divorce due to his political involvement and the premature death of their daughter Christine.

In 1949, Reagan meets actress Nancy Davis, and has her name removed from the blacklist after she has been mistaken with another Nancy Davis. They are married in 1952. Reagan turns to television appearing in commercials and hosts the General Electric Theater program. In 1964, Reagan campaigns for Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater, and delivers his "A Time for Choosing" speech. Reagan discusses his political future, and decides to run for governor of California in 1966. In 1969, Governor Reagan clashes with student radicals at the University of California, Berkeley, and has the state National Guard sent in to quell the protests.

In 1970, the Reagans hold prayers with Pat Boone and pastor George K. Otis, who prophesies Reagan will become president if he "walks uprightly" before God. Six years later, Reagan challenges incumbent President Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention but loses in the delegate count. Ford loses to Democrat Jimmy Carter, and Reagan runs again for president in 1980. He beats Carter and forms a friendship with Tip O'Neill, the Democratic Speaker of the House.

In 1981, President Reagan recovers from his attempted assassination, and is visited by O'Neill in his hospital bed. Back in the White House, Reagan clashes with David Stockman, the White House budget director, over his tax cut proposal. When Reagan learns that air traffic controllers are on strike, he fires the air traffic controllers who do not return to work within 48 hours.

Reagan selects George Shultz as his Secretary of State to handle diplomacy with the Soviet Union. Despite this, in 1983, Reagan labels the Soviet Union as an evil empire. Tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union escalate when Soviet interceptor planes shoot down a commercial passenger plane. Meanwhile, there are nationwide protests against Reagan's handling of the AIDS crisis. Reagan wins reelection in 1984, defeating Democratic presidential nominee and Carter's former vice president Walter Mondale in a landslide.

By the time of Reagan's second term, Leonid Brezhnev's successors had died in office, making diplomacy difficult. Reagan meets with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who persuades him to meet with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. At the Geneva Summit in 1985, the two leaders negotiate nuclear disarmament, but Reagan is reluctant to sign an agreement due to his support for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which had been dubbed "Star Wars". A year later, the Iran-Contra scandal breaks, and Reagan is threatened with impeachment. Reagan denies there were arms traded for hostages, but backtracks in an Oval Office speech.

Despite Shultz's opposition, Reagan delivers a speech near the Brandenburg Gate, and demands for Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. In 1989, Reagan leaves office and the Berlin Wall falls shortly thereafter; the Soviet Union would be dissolved two years later. In retirement, Reagan experiences memory lapses and discloses he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Reagan takes one last horse ride with his Secret Service agent John Barletta. Reagan dies in 2004, and international leaders attend his funeral to pay their respects.

A post-credits scene features a photo of the letter by Prince Hussain who had sent Reagan his goldfish during his presidency.

Cast[]

  • Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan[4]
    • Tommy Ragen as child Ronald Reagan[5]
    • David Henrie as young Ronald Reagan[6]
  • Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan[7]
  • Nick Searcy as James Baker[8]
  • C. Thomas Howell as Caspar Weinberger[9]
  • Kevin Dillon as Jack L. Warner[10]
  • Skip Schwink as Jimmy Carter[11]
  • Mena Suvari as Jane Wyman[12]
  • Jon Voight as Viktor Petrovich
  • Trevor Donovan as John Barletta[13]
  • Lesley-Anne Down as Margaret Thatcher[14]
  • Aleksander Krupa as Mikhail Gorbachev[15]
  • Hideo Kimura as Yasuhiro Nakasone
  • Robert Davi as Leonid Brezhnev[16]
  • Scott Stapp as Frank Sinatra[17]
  • Xander Berkeley as George Shultz[18]
  • Moriah Peters as Loyce Whiteman[19]
  • Amanda Righetti as Nelle Reagan[20]
    • Jennifer O'Neill as older Nelle Reagan
  • Justin Chatwin as Jack Reagan[20]
  • Ryan Whitney as Margaret "Mugs" Cleaver[21]
  • Elya Baskin as B.E. Kertchman[22]
  • Sean Hankinson as Dalton Trumbo[23]
  • Pat Boone as Rev George K. Otis.
  • Chris Massoglia as Pat Boone[24]
  • Mark Moses as William P. Clark Jr.[25]
  • Dan Lauria as Tip O'Neill[26]
  • Darci Lynne[27]
  • Kevin Sorbo as Reverend Ben Cleaver[28]
  • Derek Richardson as Dana Rohrabacher

Production[]

In 2010, it was announced producer Mark Joseph would be producing a feature film biopic of Ronald Reagan with Joseph having been inspired to take on such a project after reacting to the miniseries The Reagans with distaste.[29] Screenwriter Jonas McCord had initially been uninterested in the project, but changed his mind after deciding that Reagan's childhood and formative years were dramatically rich.[29]

Klausner and McCord wrote the script based on a book by Paul Kengor: The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism.[30] Kengor described the script's development as faithful to both his books and history.[31]

In 2012, Jon Voight was in discussions to portray Viktor Petrovich, whom Kengor said "is actually a character based on a number of KGB agents and Soviet analysts who we now know were tasked with keeping tabs on Ronald Reagan for many years".[32]

In August 2016, it was reported Sean McNamara, who had worked as a sound engineer at the age of 18 during filming of Reagan's inauguration ceremony in 1981, had signed on to direct. John G. Avildsen had been in negotiations to direct prior to his death.[33] Penelope Ann Miller who plays Nancy Reagan in the film described Reagan as being a Rocky like love story where the primary focus would be on the romance between Ronald and Nancy.[33]

Joseph had trouble securing financing for the film with several deals made before production actually started, only for the money to never actually come through. This led to Joseph turning to outside independent financing which made up the film's $25 million budget.[33]

Principal photography began on September 9, 2020. Filming locations included Guthrie, Oklahoma. It was announced on October 22, 2020, that filming had shut down after several crew members tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.[34][35] Filming resumed on November 5, 2020.

Music[]

The film features prominent musicians' covers of standards. Bob Dylan sings Cole Porter "Don't Fence Me In" over the end credits. Gene Simmons covers the 1930s standard "Stormy Weather". Clint Black sings John Denver’s "Take Me Home, Country Roads."[36] The original score was composed by John Coda.

Release[]

The film was originally due to be released in 2021 but was then delayed to a then-unknown date.[37][38] In March 2024, it was announced ShowBiz Direct would distribute the film and that it would be released in theaters on August 30, 2024.[39] Facebook temporarily restricted the film from advertising on its platform, claiming that advertisements of the movie were efforts to influence the 2024 United States elections.[40]

Reception[]

Box office[]

As of September 20, 2024, Reagan has grossed $25.4 million worldwide.[2][3]

In the United States and Canada, Reagan was released alongside AfrAId, Slingshot, 1992, and City of Dreams, and was projected to gross $5–7 million from 2,754 theaters in its four-day opening weekend.[41] It grossed $2.6 million on its first day, including $525,000 from Thursday night previews.[42][43] The film earned $7.7 million during its opening three day weekend, and $10.3 million over the four day Labor Day Weekend.[44][45] Audiences skewed older, white, and Southern; 78% of moviegoers were white, 63% were at least 55 years old, and the theater with the highest grosses for the film on opening weekend was located in Edmond, Oklahoma.[42]

Critical response[]

Rotten Tomatoes reports a 17% approval rating from 63 critics, with an average rating of 4/10. The Critic's Consensus reads, "While Reagan the movie undoubtedly admires Reagan the man, its cloying and glossy rendering of history flattens the 40th U.S. President into caricature."[46] Template:Metacritic film prose Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it an average 4.5 out of five stars, with 77% saying they would definitely recommend it.[42]

Bilge Ebiri of Vulture said the film was "pure hagiography, but it's not even one of those convincing hagiographies that pummel you into submission with compelling scenes that reinforce their subject's greatness."[47] Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Kyle Smith said, "Mannered acting, dismal cinematography, clunky attempts to enhance excitement via gimmicks such as slow motion, and a musical score like a fountain of goo all serve as flashbacks to Reagan-era network schlock."[48] Nick Schager of The Daily Beast wrote, "Regardless of how you feel about Ronald Reagan the president, most will be united in finding this biopic a preachy, plodding, graceless groaner."[49]

The Washington Post's Ty Burr gave the film 1.5/4 stars, writing, "The faithful for whom Reagan was made aren't likely to see that it's a hagiography as rosy and shallow as anything in a Kremlin May Day parade. As pop-culture propaganda — popaganda, if you will — the movie's strictly for true believers. As history, it's worthless."[50] Glenn Kenny of The New York Times deemed the film an "unabashed love letter to the former president", concluding, "It all makes for a plodding film, more curious than compelling."[51]

Bill Newcott of The Saturday Evening Post gave the film 3/5 stars, calling it "A shamelessly adoring biopic that is single-handedly rescued from worshipful ignominy by its star, Dennis Quaid, who stubbornly chips through the script's plaster façade to offer glimpses of a man who spent his entire career concealing his complexities."[52]

Trailer[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. "Ronald Reagan Biopic Draws 'Soul Surfer' Director Sean McNamara", Variety. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Reagan – Financial Information.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Reagan.
  4. Bond, Paul (June 20, 2018). Dennis Quaid to Play Ronald Reagan in New Biopic.
  5. Exclusive: Tommy Ragen to play young Ronald Reagan in biopic 'Reagan'.
  6. Bond, Paul (November 5, 2018). 'Reagan' Movie Starring Dennis Quaid Finds Major Funding.
  7. Kit, Borys (October 13, 2020). Penelope Ann Miller to Play Nancy Reagan in Ronald Reagan Biopic (Exclusive).
  8. McDonnell, Brandy (February 25, 2021). Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio meet with Osage Nation leaders about 'Killers of the Flower Moon' and 5 more Oklahoma film and TV headlines.
  9. Thompson, Simon. C. Thomas Howell Talks Joining 'Reagan' Cast And 'The Hitcher' Turning 35 (in en).
  10. McDonnell, Brandy (November 16, 2020). Kevin Dillon added to 'Reagan' biopic that has been filming in Oklahoma.
  11. Creed's Scott Stapp to portray Frank Sinatra in 'Reagan' biopic | NME (in en) (2020-12-17).
  12. Patten, Dominic (November 9, 2020). 'Reagan' Biopic Back In Production After COVID-19 Crew Outbreak; Mena Suvari To Play Oscar Winner & 1st Wife Jane Wyman.
  13. Trevor Donovan cast in Reagan biopic (February 19, 2021).
  14. Kay, Jeremy (November 11, 2020). Voltage Pictures' 'Reagan' finds its Margaret Thatcher (exclusive).
  15. I Despised Gorbachev Until I Played His Role (March 9, 2021).
  16. Ronald Reagan Biopic Casts Its Leonid Brezhnev (Exclusive) (November 14, 2015).
  17. "Scott Stapp to Portray Frank Sinatra in Upcoming Ronald Reagan Biopic: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  18. Bond, Paul (February 7, 2021). Xander Berkeley to Play George Shultz as Cold War Hero in 'Reagan' Movie.
  19. Christian singer Moriah Peters-Smallbone to star alongside Dennis Quaid in 'Reagan' (December 10, 2020).
  20. 20.0 20.1 Vlessing, Etan (September 1, 2021). Amanda Righetti, Justin Chatwin Join Dennis Quaid in Ronald Reagan Biopic (Exclusive).
  21. Grobar, Matt (August 23, 2021). Ryan Whitney Newman Boards 'Reagan' Biopic; Gigi Gustin Joins 'Chastise' Horror Film.
  22. Exclusive: Elya Baskin Joins Ronald Reagan Biopic Reagan as B.E. Kertchman (in en-US) (2022-05-10).
  23. Farber, Stephen. "'Reagan' Review: Dennis Quaid Headlines an Overly Reverential Tribute to a Controversial Politician", 29 August 2024. 
  24. Film 'Reagan' shows how faith impacted 40th president's life, says actor who plays Pat Boone (in en-US) (2022-06-20).
  25. Dick, Jeremy (October 24, 2022). Exclusive: Mark Moses Joins Ronald Reagan Biopic Reagan as Judge William P. Clark.
  26. Johnson, Ted. "Dan Lauria To Play Tip O'Neill In Ronald Reagan Biopic", Deadline Hollywood, 9 December 2022. 
  27. Toto, Christian. "'America's Got Talent' Champ Darci Lynne Farmer Latest 'Reagan' Addition", December 20, 2021. 
  28. "‘Reagan’ Review: The Gipper Takes on Moscow", The New York Times, August 29, 2024. 
  29. 29.0 29.1 Reed, Betsy. "Ronald Reagan's life story to be told on big screen", The Guardian. 
  30. Zimmerman, David (March 11, 2024). Director of Dennis Quaid Reagan Biopic Eyes Release in August or September.
  31. Bond, Paul (May 6, 2014). Ronald Reagan Biopic Heading to Cannes.
  32. Bond, Paul (December 18, 2012). Jon Voight in Negotiations to Play KGB Agent in Ronald Reagan Biopic (Exclusive).
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 Newsweek (2021-07-28). Inside the Making of Hollywood's New Ronald Reagan Movie.
  34. McDonnell, Brandy (October 27, 2020). 'Reagan' biopic filming in Oklahoma halts production after crew members reportedly test positive for COVID-19. The Oklahoman.
  35. Bond, Paul (October 22, 2020). Ronald Reagan Movie Pauses Production After Coronavirus Outbreak. Newsweek.com.
  36. Kreps, Daniel (2024-08-17). Bob Dylan to Cover ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ for Ronald Reagan Biopic.
  37. Huff, Lauren (January 22, 2021). Reagan star Dennis Quaid on the challenges and 'honor' of bringing 40th President to the screen. Entertainment Weekly.com.
  38. Dennis Quaid on Cowboys & Indians. Cowboys & Indians (June 23, 2022).
  39. Dennis Quaid Starrer 'Reagan' Strikes North American Deal With Newly Launched ShowBiz Direct. Deadline Hollywood (March 26, 2024).
  40. Hays, Gabriel (16 August 2024). Dennis Quaid baffled by Facebook's explanation for throttling promotion of Reagan biopic.
  41. Rubin, Rebecca (August 28, 2024). ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ to Top Box Office Yet Again Over Desolate Labor Day Weekend.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 D'Alessandro, Anthony. "Summer Comes To An End With $3.6B+; ‘Reagan’ Sees $525K, Blumhouse’s ‘Afraid’ Scares Up $400K In Previews – Labor Day Box Office", Deadline Hollywood, August 30, 2024. Retrieved on August 30, 2024. 
  43. McClintock, Pamela. "Box Office: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Rules Quiet Labor Day, New ‘Reagan’ Biopic Battles for 4th Place", Hollywood Reporter, August 31, 2024. Retrieved on August 31, 2024. 
  44. Domestic 2024 Weekend 35.
  45. Domestic 2024 Weekend 35 | August 30-September 2, 2024 – Labor Day weekend (US).
  46. Script error: No such module "Wd". Reagan (in en). Fandango Media.
  47. Ebiri, Bilge (2024-08-31). Reagan Is Almost Fun-Bad But It's Mostly Just Bad-Bad (in en).
  48. Smith, Kyle. "'Reagan' Review: Dennis Quaid's Impeachable Presidential Portrait", The Wall Street Journal, August 29, 2024. 
  49. Schager, Nick. "Dennis Quaid's 'Reagan' Is the Worst Movie of the Year", The Daily Beast, 2024-08-30. (in en) 
  50. Burr, Ty. "Review | The new 'Reagan' biopic is not a great communicator", Washington Post, 2024-08-30. (in en-US) 
  51. Kenny, Glenn. "'Reagan' Review: The Gipper Takes on Moscow", The New York Times, 2024-08-29. (in en-US) 
  52. Newcott, Bill (2024-08-29). Review: Reagan — Movies for the Rest of Us with Bill Newcott (in en-US).
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