Movies at Mechanics' Presents: The American President (1995)

We begin our Rob Reiner tribute month at Movies at Mechanics’ with a screening of The American President–a gentle and whimsical look at the White House with serious political undertones. The President of the United States (Michael Douglas), a recent widower, becomes romantically involved with an environmental lobbyist (Annette Bening) in an election year, drawing unprecedented media attention and attacks from the opposition. In addition, she opposes a bill he needs to win reelection. Can their relationship survive their differences, and the scrutiny of the country’s highest office? 

From his earliest days, Rob Reiner had a front row seat to the best in show business. His father, Carl Reiner, had created The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Rob spent his teenage years on the set. He ultimately went out on his own, landing the role of Mike “Meathead” Stivic on the hit television show All in the Family, which cemented his reputation as a gifted actor. In the early 1980s, Reiner tried his hand at directing, creating such hits as This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride. By the time he directed The American President in 1995, Reiner was established as a veteran director.

Featuring a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, The American President is the type of witty romantic comedy that we associate with the 1990s. Though it is a typical romantic comedy in many ways, the film’s message goes beyond feel-good humor. The American President is a subtle and poignant critique of political life, as well as the direction of the Democratic Party during the Clinton years. In this era, perceptions of the Democratic Party began to shift away from a labor-oriented, blue-collar identity, to an upper-class, wealthy aesthetic. The American President reflects this shift, showing the main characters at luxury dinners, enjoying the finer things in life–while they advance causes central to the party’s platform.

The film garnered wide acclaim upon its release, and was named one of the top 10 films of 1995. It received Golden Globe nominations in all 5 major categories, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score (Musical or Comedy). Following the success of The American President, Aaron Sorkin developed The West Wing based on the same script, creating one of the greatest television shows in history.
The American President feels like a warm bath of nostalgia in our current political climate. Join us for a night of fun and deep discussion, as we pay tribute to Rob Reiner, a great director we lost too soon.

Movies at Mechanics' has welcomed film enthusiasts for classic cinema screenings and salons on Friday evenings for over 20 years. Join us for fresh popcorn, lively discourse, and your favorite films the first three Fridays of the month. Hosted by Lara Gabrielle, film writer and author of Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies.

“Author Gabrielle has given us a gift: an honest biography of a woman whose life and career have long been misunderstood. . . .  In short, this is the book Marion Davies has always deserved.”-Leonard Maltin, film critic and historian

Members: $5

Non-Members: $10