An elaborate soap opera that covers Hollywood history, the communist scare, California politics and eventually a political dynasty that had major problems behind the scenes and quiet conflict over wrong and right. The problems are major, considering that these facts had already been documented in many books and that the two part movie, while well done, skips over many years and the desire to see those missing situations does remain on the mind as they skips by.
The number of famous people both in politics and the movies and television reads lots a who's who, with some famous figures nothing more than walk on extras. But for the leads, they cast two definite pros, James Brolin as Ronald and Judy Davis as Nancy. Brolin definitely fits Ronald to a tea, his mannerisms much better than expected, and certainly no SNL parody. Judy Davis could never sound like Nancy Davis, and often sounds like her Emmy winning role as Judy Garland as well as other real life characters she's played, mesmerizing still, and even sympathetic at times.
Certainly differing feelings on the Reagans will guide the viewer's feelings, but there's no doubt that Ronald, as portrayed here, loved his country and family unconditionally and did the best he could, and Davis's Nancy loves her children as best as she can but focused all her energy on both her husband and providing the perfect image for him. Relationships with her stepchildren and her own children have varying emotions, but it's a fair portrayal that doesn't make her a monster. Her obsession with supernatural guidance is dealt with too. Worth watching, but should have been longer and less episodic.
The number of famous people both in politics and the movies and television reads lots a who's who, with some famous figures nothing more than walk on extras. But for the leads, they cast two definite pros, James Brolin as Ronald and Judy Davis as Nancy. Brolin definitely fits Ronald to a tea, his mannerisms much better than expected, and certainly no SNL parody. Judy Davis could never sound like Nancy Davis, and often sounds like her Emmy winning role as Judy Garland as well as other real life characters she's played, mesmerizing still, and even sympathetic at times.
Certainly differing feelings on the Reagans will guide the viewer's feelings, but there's no doubt that Ronald, as portrayed here, loved his country and family unconditionally and did the best he could, and Davis's Nancy loves her children as best as she can but focused all her energy on both her husband and providing the perfect image for him. Relationships with her stepchildren and her own children have varying emotions, but it's a fair portrayal that doesn't make her a monster. Her obsession with supernatural guidance is dealt with too. Worth watching, but should have been longer and less episodic.