The 2024 movie,Reagan, tells the life story of Hollywood actor and United States president, Ronald Reagan, but the movie isn’t able to capture the man’s entire life in just over two hours.Reaganpremiered in August of 2024 and received record-breaking reactions.Reagan’sRotten Tomatoes scores are notably divisive, with an 18% critics' score, and the audience score at a whopping 98%. This is the biggest gap between scores in Rotten Tomatoes history. Though it is difficult to unpack why exactly these scores are so starkly different, one reason may be howReaganportrays its protagonist’s very full life.
When it comes to movies about historical figures, it can be hard to find a balance between authenticity and entertainment. The biggest obstacle is time. If a director wants to squeeze someone’s entire life into a two-hour movie, some cuts are going to be inevitable. Unfortunately, some of these cuts can have a negative impact on the film as a whole.Reaganis far from the firstbiopic to explore the life of a famous person, but it does make some interesting choices in what it chooses to focus on and how it does so.
Reagan Follows Ronald Reagan’s Life As An Actor & As President
How Reagan’s Plot Hurt/Helped The Movie
Reaganfollows the life of Ronald Reagan from his childhood in Illinoisto his eventual death in 2004. The movie shows how Reagan’s childhood often revolved around religion, especially in the face of his father’s alcoholism. Later, audiences see Reagan begin his Hollywood career, which is what first put him in the public eye. AsReagan’s acting careercame to an end, the movie delves into his political aspirations, eventually leading to his election as the 40th President of the United States. The film ends with the end of Reagan’s presidency and his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s.
On the other hand,Reagan’sfull plot likely meant that the movie could only dive so deep into certain topics that maybe deserved more exploration.
Once again, it is quite an ambitious endeavor to showcase a man’s entire life in a single movie, butReaganmakes a solid attempt. Arguably, its storyline both helped the movie, and also hurt it.Reagan’sgeneration-spanning plot likely allowed audiences to get a full picture of Reagan,not just as president, but as a man. He likely felt more relatable because of his origins and desires outside of politics. On the other hand,Reagan’sfull plot likely meant that the movie could only dive so deep into certain topics that maybe deserved more exploration.
Reagan’s True Story Timeline & All Major Events Covered
What Reagan’s Events Say About The President
AlthoughReaganisn’t able to showcase every single element of Reagan’s life, there are definitely milestones that stick out. For example, the movie spends time on Reagan’s acting career, his position as President of the Screen Actor’s Guild, and his marriage to Jane Wyman. From there, the movie transitions to Reagan’s time as governor and his “A Time for Choosing” speech. Leading up to and during his presidency, the movie also lingers on moments like Reagan’s clashes with student protesters in California, the attempted assassination of Reagan, and his meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev.
Where To Watch Reagan: Showtimes & Streaming Status
Ronald Reagan’s life and presidency in America is the subject of Dennis Quaid’s biopic movie, and there are options for where to watch Reagan.
A case could be made that the eventsReaganchooses to focus on say a lot about the movie’s overarching message. For one thing, the movie seems to shed notable light on Reagan’s speeches, including “A Time for Choosing,” his speech after the Iran-Contra scandal, and his famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate. PerhapsReaganwants audiences to focus on the former president’s ability to inspire crowds, even in tough or controversial scenarios. However, on top of that, the movie endeavors to show Reagan in more than just political situations, highlighting his religious leanings and ambitions.
What Reagan Leaves Out About Ronald Reagan’s True Story
How Reagan’s Plot Makes It Controversial
As much asReaganattempts to tie the president’s life into a neat bow, it isn’t an easy task, and the movie often leaves out details that might seem imperative to certain viewers. For example, many critics argue thatReagandownplays the more negative opinions of the former president.In an article bySlate,it is pointed out that although Reagan is framed as a friend to BIPOC characters, in reality, he was against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Furthermore, Reagan’s handling of the AIDS crisis and the war on drugs are seemingly glossed over.
Ultimately,whatReagandoes and does not say about Ronald Reagan is what makes the movie so successful,yet so controversial.While some audiences clearly feel that the movie portrays an inspiring and heartfelt story about an important president, others feel that the film is disingenuous about the truth of Reagan’s policies and failures. Either way,Reaganstands out for its unique ratings and the way it has split viewers so intensely.
Reagan
Cast
Reagon follows the life of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, from his time as a young boy through his tenure in the Oval Office.
