The latest US president to get the biopic treatment is Republican hero Ronald Reagan.
Dennis Quaid, who has previously played Bill Clinton, stars as the Hollywood actor turned politician in a movie featuring fellow Donald Trump-supporting actors from Robert Davi to Jon Voight.
Having hit movie theatres stateside, the reaction to Reagan is unsurprisingly polarising with a 98 per cent positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes contrasted with a green splat of just 18 per cent from the critics.
Quaid’s performance is praised by some like Movie Web, who call it a “stand out” that “nails” the part “without making it feel strained or landed with pure imitation”.
However, this apparently couldn’t save a “tedious” and “dismal” biopic that the reviewers felt lacked depth.
The Wrap
There probably hasn’t been a presidential biopic this tedious in 80 years, not since Henry King’s Wilson back in 1944.
Variety
There is a great deal more hagiography than history in “Reagan,” a worshipful biopic of the 40th U.S. President that often plays like the cinematic equivalent of CliffsNotes.
Associated Press
This is a 135-minute film that demands a lot more depth. And, so, to co-opt a political phrase from Bill Clinton, whom Quaid also has played: It’s the script, stupid.
Wall Street Journal
Mannered acting, dismal cinematography, clunky attempts to enhance excitement via gimmicks such as slow motion, and a musical score like a fountain of goo all serve as flashbacks to Reagan-era network schlock.
Hollywood Reporter
Most of the major events in Reagan’s life are covered, but few of them are recounted in an incisive fashion.
New York Times
It all makes for a plodding film, more curious than compelling.
Chicago Sun-Times
A fawning biopic light on subtlety.
LA Times
A hollow portrait.
Washington Post
As history it’s worthless.
Reagan is out now in US movie theatres and a UK release date is yet to be announced.
