The American President 1995

Susan Stark, Detroit News: Apart from its too-obvious political bias, The American President has romance in its heart, smarts in abundance and class to spare. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: With great looks, a dandy supporting cast, a zinger-filled screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and Mr. Douglas twinkling merrily in the Oval Office, The American President is sunny enough to make the real Presidency pale by comparison. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Genial and entertaining if not notably inspired. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: The image of a chief executive as moonstruck single guy taps something buoyant and touching in our collective democratic imagination. And Douglas, wearing a fast-break smile in place of his usual frown, strikes a tender rapport with Bening... Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Neither bad nor unwatchable, The American President is nevertheless the second straight disappointment from director Rob Reiner. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Great entertainment. Read more

Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle: 'Capraesque' has inevitably been affixed to The American President, but that phrase, with its implications of facile hokum, doesn't do the film justice. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Part romantic comedy, part Capra-corny political drama, this movie exudes so much sympathy, it sweats. Read more

Variety: Genial middlebrow fare that coasts a long way on the charm of its two stars. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: A well-modulated charmer. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: Frothy. Read more