From dusty small-town roots to the glitter of Hollywood, the film “Reagan”, directed by Sean McNamara and produced by Mark Joseph, tells the story of the life and legacy of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Dennis Quaid, who plays Reagan, accurately and creatively portrays the journey Reagan took to become president, as well as his accomplishments during his presidency. The film is narrated by Viktor Petrovich, a former KGB (Russia’s Committee for State Security) agent whose life becomes intricately linked with Reagan’s when Reagan first caught the Soviet’s attention as a young actor in Hollywood.
The first scene is set at Reagan’s assassination attempt on March 30, 1981, reminding viewers that although he was beloved by many, there were some who wished for Reagan’s downfall. I was immediately drawn in and invested in the movie because it started with something as significant and attention-getting as an assassination attempt. After this, the movie fasts forward to Moscow, Russia, where we see Petrovich start to tell the story in a way that is passionate as it is educational. I appreciated McNamara’s and Joseph’s choice to have a narrator throughout the film because it made it easier to follow the timeline and all the important events along the way.
Jumping the timeline once again, we get a glimpse into Reagan’s childhood. It is 1922 in Dixon, IL. Reagan’s father, Jack Reagan, played by Justin Chatwin, is far from a positive male influence in Reagan’s life. Jack falls into alcoholism, which negatively impacted his marriage with his wife and Reagan’s mother, Nelle Reagan, played by Amanda Righetti. After Jack left the family, Nelle soon became who Reagan looked up to most. The film portrays Nelle as the one who initially inspired Reagan, or “Dutch” as his parents called him to want to, as Quaid said, “make a difference in the world.”
It was Reagan’s faith that first implemented the idea in his mind to run for president. The film shows his faith starting at a young age, when at the age of 12, Reagan is baptized by his pastor, played by Kevin Sorbo. It was young Reagan’s own decision to be baptized, he did this even when people around him tried warning him he was acting impulsively and not making the right decision. This is the first of many times throughout the film when we see Reagan take initiative and do what he knows is right, even when people doubt him.
Along with his faith in God, the film shows those in Reagan’s life who supported him, whose guidance Reagan sought throughout his life. Perhaps the most influential of these people was Reagan’s second wife, Nancy Reagan, who is played by Penelope Ann Miller. Reagan’s first wife was Jane Wyman, played by Mena Suvari, who he was married to from 1940-1948. Nancy and Reagan were married in March of 1952 and according to the film, were each other’s partners in crime and biggest supporters in everything.
I admire how Wyman portrayed the support Nancy gave to Reagan when he ran not once, but twice for being selected as the President of the United States. After losing the 1976 election, Reagan won against President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election. A quote that stuck out to me comes from when Reagan is speaking at debate just before the 1980 election, he says: “You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of the movie and the character Quaid portrayed.
I would reccomend this movie to anyone who is interested in understanding more about our country and how we go to where we are today.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
