Reviewer-In-Chief

I have long been fascinated by American Presidents. Many of them experience incredible rises to success and political glory, while others almost fall into it by circumstance. Presidents have an incredible amount of power, and they affect long-term widespread change in the country. We are still affected today in the U.S. by decisions made by Presidents over 200 years ago. Anyone who becomes President instantly becomes a historical figure, for better or worse.

While Hollywood does not have a track record of particularly shining when it comes to dealing with real-life Presidents, there are still some great gems of movies out there. I have compiled a list of my all-time favorite movies about Presidents. I have omitted any movies about fictional Presidents (I guess that would be a different list entirely!) and instead focused on the real deals. These movies are, in my opinion, fair, educational, and entertaining. They are great starting points if you want to study or learn about Presidents. These movies help us understand these Presidents in greater depth.

I have also decided to include a couple of mini series about Presidents, even though they may not be "movies", technically. But, they're close enough.

1. Truman (1995)

Gary Sinise plays iconic President Harry S. Truman in this 1995 made-for-tv biography. Harry Truman is now remembered as one of the best President's in U.S. history. He fought corruption in Washington, and wisely handled a volatile situation in Japan. He was level-headed, and was never given to fits of arrogance or craziness. He never asked for the Presidency, but rather, handled it when it was forced upon him. Gary Sinise gives a wonderful performance, and the whole cast is great. This is a fascinating look at Pres. Truman.

2. Frost / Nixon (2008)

Nominated for a whole slew of Oscars, including Best Picture, this movie is director Ron Howard's mini-masterpiece about the infamous post-Presidential interview of Richard Nixon. Having resigned office in total shame and disgrace, then later pardoned by President Ford, many felt that Nixon never got the scourge he deserved for his rampant corruption. His justice would have to come in the form of a public addmitance of wrongdoing in an interview with TV star David Frost. But, Frost was considered a total intellectual lightweight by the Nixon camp, so what was the risk? Frank Langella (who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Nixon) and Michael Sheen (David Frost) both give the performances of their careers! This is a wonderful and insightful movie, based on a play, of the true events of the Frost / Nixon interview.

3. John Adams: HBO miniseries (2008)

Paul Giamatti plays the stubby, loud-mouthed second President of the United States in this award-winning HBO miniseries. It covers the first 50 years of the turbulent birth of this country. There are many wonderful characters in this series, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and John Quincy Adams (John Adams' son). I found it riveting, and very educational. Full of action, intrigue, rebellion, and danger, it encompasses the struggles of America's founding Fathers, with honor. It gave me a new appreciation of America.

4. Path To War (2002)

This movie shows the tough times Lyndon Johnson had as President. Often, Johnson is considered a fairly bad President because of his saucy nature, and his string of bad decisions concerning Vietnam. Michael Gambon plays President Johnson. His thick British accent is hard to disguise as he attempts a Texas drawl. But, Alec Baldwin is wonderful as Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense. You will certainly be caught up in the scandal, and you may learn something, too. I certainly did.

5. Kennedys (2011)

This is the first in-depth look at the life and times of President John F. Kennedy. And, it's done very well. Frequently romanticised as a bigger-than-life icon, this miniseries dispels that notion and delves into the true story behind JFK's rise to the Presidency. We get to see every major decision he made, good and bad, and the politics behind it. We get to see the behind-the-scenes nepotism, scandal, and heartbreak of the Kennedy Presidency. The Kennedy family is one of the most famous families in American history, and sometimes it's painful to watch "how the sausage is made." Tom Wilkinson plays Joe Kennedy Sr, the overbearing and controlling patriarch of the Kennedy family. Greg Kinnear tries his best to be Pres. Jack Kennedy, and does a fairly good job. Berry Pepper is a wonderful Bobby Kennedy, and Katie Holmes plays the legendary First Lady Jackie Kennedy. As with any fictional portrayal, it's not perfectly historically accurate. But, it's close enough to be educational.

6. DC 9/11: Time of Crisis

This is another made-for-tv movie that shows the scary, tragic days following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Told from the perspective of the White House, it shows the quick and horrendously difficult decisions that President George W. Bush had to make. It is so refreshing to see former President Bush portrayed in a fair way. I am so sick of movies and/or other media portrayals of Bush that do little more than excoriate him. This movie is a great memorial to the tragedy of 9/11 without being too graphic with imagery or detail. It reminded me of the patriotism I feel for being an American. Since the events portrayed in Bush's administration are so relatively recent, they really strike a chord deeply. I recommend it.