With Election Day almost upon us (Be sure to Vote), I thought about the films that revolve around the Presidency that I enjoy. This is by no means a comprehensive list and there are many more recent and older that aren’t listed here. Feel free to mention your favorites in the comments section. But here are my go to Presidential flicks. The first two are feel good films. For those of us weary from the current political climate, they are needed.
The American President (1995)
Directed by Rob Reiner, the American President explores what is and isn’t the business of the American people. Especially when it comes to the personal life of the President.
Plot
With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public support will guarantee his re-election. The most recent poll shows that he is on his way. But that starts to change when he falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening).
Shepherd’s supporters question the relationship, and his approval ratings drop. Much to the chagrin of Shepard who wonders why his personal life is of importance compared to the job he is doing. But as a rival presidential candidate (Richard Dreyfus) goes on the attack about his relationship, Shepherd must choose between his political career and his love for Sydney.
This an all star cast with Michael Douglas, Annette Benign, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Richard Dreyfus and a still relevant storyline. It also contains some great quotes. This one best describes the direction of the film.
President Andrew Shepherd: [while playing pool with his Chief of Staff and discussing his new relationship with Sydney] “This is NOT the business of the American people!”
A.J.: “With all due respect, sir, the American people have a funny way of deciding on their own what is and what is not their business.”
Filled with heart, humor and some viable political questions, the American President is worth watching on Election Day or any day.
Dave (1993)
Directed by Ivan Reitman, Dave tells a more fantasy based story of what happens when the President has a stroke (doing elicit things) and those closest to the President try to replace him with a Temp (literally).
Plot
Ambitious White House chief of staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) hatches a scheme to use a double for the president (Kevin Kline) at a public photo opportunity. This is necessary because the President is busy cheating on his wife. Fortunately for Alexander, small business owner Dave Kovic (Kline) fits the bill. And in a twist of fate, Dave is the owner of a Temporary service.
But after the president suffers a debilitating stroke (during his tryst with a staffer) opportunist Alexander arranges for Dave to step in full time. They do this without even informing the First Lady (Sigourney Weaver). However, as Dave settles in to his new temp job, it doesn’t take long before the press, the nation and the president’s wife realize something is different.
Kevin Kline is brilliant in this whimsical tale. It uses humor and heart to explore how the people behind the scenes can control how the government is run. At least unless someone steps in to challenge the status quo. This is a quote from the film that best explains its idea of the Presidency.
Dave Kovic as President Bill Mitchell [Addressing the Nation]
I forgot that I was hired to do a job for you and that it was just a temp job at that. I forgot that I had two hundred and fifty million people who were paying me to make their lives a little better and I didn’t live up to my part of the bargain.
Well since it seems like politics has been a constant battle let’s look at an action film.
Air Force One (1997)
If you need to have a President who can hold his own if a physical fight, you could do no worse than Harrison Ford. Of course in the 80’s and 90’s, Harrison was the man. In this film, Directed by Wolfgang Peterson, Ford plays President James Marshall.
Plot
After making a speech in Moscow vowing to never negotiate with terrorists, President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) boards Air Force One with his family (Wendy Crewson, Liesel Matthews) and advisers. All Marshall wants is to watch his recording of the Michigan football game and relax. No such luck.
Apparently wanting to put his rhetoric to the test, a group of terrorists led by Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) hijacks the flight. This puts the President’s principles to the test. Feigning escape by launching an escape pod, ex-soldier Marshall stows away in the aircraft. He now faces a race against time to rescue his family and everyone else on board. Will he succumb to negotiating with his family’s lives on the line?
Here is a quote between the President and Vice-President that explains their theory about negotiating with terrorists.
President James Marshall: Kathryn, if you give a mouse a cookie…
Vice President Kathryn Bennett: It’s gonna want a glass of milk.
This is an action film that lives up to the genre. Ford is rock solid as President Marshall as per usual. Always love to see Gary Oldman in just about anything. He doesn’t disappoint. And when added to Glen Close, William H. Macy, and Dean Stockwell, you get an iconic action film that makes you forget the current political landscape…at least for a couple of hours.
Speaking of action Presidents, Let’s close with one of the most iconic speeches by a President in a film. This time, the villains are aliens.
Independence Day (1996)
Nothing stirs the emotions better than seeing the world gather together to take on invading aliens. Especially when this happens in conjunction with Independence Day. That is what happens in Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day.
Plot
When an alien ships arrive and starts causing trouble, the world is faced with a choice. Band together to take on the threat or remain divided and fall to the alien invasion. As President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) is briefed on the situation and the possible solutions, he must also worry about his daughter and the missing First Lady. Whitmore tries to defend against the invasion, including the use of Nukes, but it proves ineffective. Their shields thwart them.
In the end, he is faced with leading the defense against the invaders so that David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), an MIT-trained satellite technician, and pilot Stephen Hiller (Will Smith) can implant a virus to bring down the Alien Shields and win the day.
It is just before the impending attack on the aliens that President Whitmore gives his iconic speech.
President Whitmore:
Good morning. Good morning. In less than an hour aircrafts from here will join others from around the world and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind.
Mankind, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests.
Perhaps it’s fate that today is the 4th of July and you will once again be fighting for our freedom not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution but from annihilation.
We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist, and should we win today the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday but as the day when the world declared in one voice:
We will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We’re going to live on. We’re going to survive. Today we celebrate our Independence Day!
C’mon! You can’t tell me THAT didn’t stir the blood. Now I realize that President Whitmore is not the main character in the film. But when you think of the film Independence Day, that speech is the thing that comes to mind.
So that is my brief list. There are so many more. This doesn’t even scratch the surface. What are the films involving the Presidency that you would have included? Share your list with us at Geek Vibes Nation.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
