Neil Pond
Updated on: October 10, 2024 7:15 am GMT
The new biopic “Reagan,” featuring Dennis Quaid in the titular role, is garnering attention and controversy for its portrayal of the 40th U.S. president. Critics have panned the film for its lack of historical nuance, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 21% from critics, contrasting sharply with a 98% audience score. This discrepancy has sparked discussions about the impact of ideological biases in film criticism, particularly as conservative commentators rally behind the film, suggesting that liberal critics attempt to undermine works that do not conform to their perspectives.
Quaid’s performance has been noted for being earnest but is set against a backdrop that some describe as cartoonish and overly glossed over regarding Reagan’s complexities. Critics, including those from the Los Angeles Times and Variety, argue that the film simplifies Reagan’s legacy into a “cloying and glossy rendering” that fails to address many of the less favorable aspects of his presidency. Instead, it adopts a hagiographic approach, celebrating him as a singular hero within the context of the Cold War.
The film’s narrative is driven through the perspective of Viktor Petrovich, a fictional former KGB agent played by Jon Voight, which adds another layer of creative license to the storytelling. This framing device has led some to assert that the film trades historical accuracy for dramatization, focusing on themes designed to resonate with conservative and religious audiences. The portrayal of Reagan’s involvement in the fall of the Soviet Union has drawn particular scrutiny, being characterized as overly simplistic and heroic.
Meanwhile, the film’s box office performance, earning over $10 million in its opening weekend, indicates a degree of interest from specific audiences, despite the critical backlash. This phenomenon raises questions about the market for politically charged narratives and the willingness of audiences to embrace stories that align with their beliefs, regardless of critical reception.
The movie “Reagan” is a great starting point for talking about how movies relate to politics and how people see those topics. In the film, Dennis Quaid plays Ronald Reagan, and his performance shows both the good and bad sides of telling real-life stories in today’s films.
