Sean McNamara’s movie, “Reagan,” entered the box office on Aug. 30, 2024, reaching $7.65 million during Labor Day opening weekend. Now with a climbing revenue of $18.65 million, audiences of all different ages make their way to the theater to honor the memory of President Ronald Reagan.
The movie, starring Dennis Quaid, brings into perspective character-defining moments throughout the life of Ronald Reagan. Viewers witness the journey from his hometown in Illinois to commanding the world stage. The film captures the heart and soul of the American dream leaving audiences with a sense of reverence. Regardless of your political affiliation, Reagan’s impact as POTUS was undeniably significant.
Based upon Paul Kengor’s 2006 book The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism, filmmakers worked to make the film as historically accurate as possible. They consulted with more than 50 of Ronald Reagan’s close friends and aides, including former Secretary of State George Shultz. Although leaving out important concepts like the War on Drugs, creators did not shy away from Reagan’s mental and cognitive decline with his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
The movie is told from the perspective of former KGB agent Viktor Petrovich who is explaining to Russian agent Andrei Novikov the life of Reagan. Petrovich described how from an early time he knew Reagan would destroy the spread of communism, from combating the infiltration of communism into Hollywood to telling Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall dividing East and West Berlin.
Megyn Kelly, an American podcast host and journalist, interviewed “Reagan” star actors Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller, Dan Lauria, and Clint Black during a podcast about the powerful portrayal of the beloved president. Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan expresses her sincere love for her role.
“Nancy Reagan was not just a First Lady; she was the glue that held [Reagan] together,” Miller said. “Her influence on Reagan’s presidency was subtle yet profound, and I had to channel that.”
Casting the right actors for a historical movie is a daunting task for producers and directors. McNamara knew having the characters on point was crucial for this movie. With well-known actors, such as Dennis Quaid and C. Thomas Howell, bring the movie to life as they portrayed their characters. With the help of visual effects and CGI, producers were able to make the characters even more accurate looking. When sitting in front of the big screen, you feel as though you are in the movie. The actors draw the viewers in, breaking the boundary between reality and the screen.
While channeling the best versions of their characters, actors alike engage viewers to relive or learn about Reagan’s presidency. Entertainment is a big factor in keeping people involved in the movie. The opening scene of “Reagan” occurs on March 30, 1981, when Reagan is shot in the chest outside a hotel in Washington DC. The story is driven by key events throughout Ronald Reagan’s political and personal life.
Although receiving a rating of less than 20% by critics, according to Rotten Tomatoes, the biographical movie “Reagan” obtains a 98% rating from viewers. Critics believe the characters are very two-dimensional and flat. They also tend to overlook the film’s focus on Ronald Reagan’s flaws that were apparent in the movie. Makers knew that the movie would be hard to sell, both politically and socially. Despite the flaws, audiences are amazed at how the movie focuses on the former president’s faith and conservative ideals.
Although taking an extensive break from filming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McNamara’s persistence and love for the movie never expired. With a personal connection to the former president’s legacy, McNamara was honored to have directed the film.
“I had the incredible experience of working on the Reagan campaign as the sound guy,” McNamara said. “To then come full circle and direct a film about President Reagan’s life was quite amazing.”
“Reagan” will be available in theaters until Sept. 26, 2024, and will be arriving on streaming platforms on Oct. 14, 2024.
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