Wick's Review

Summary - Pretty Awful 0.5

A left wing hatchet job that purports to fairly document Ronald Reagan’s life and career, this abomination musters occasional respect for the great man in between extensive polemics from opponents of his politics. Reagan haters may find it worth watching. His fans will find themselves muttering about how awful it is. Fair minded independents will be confused at best, which is probably the filmmaker’s intention.

HBO produced, Sundance funded, written and directed by Eugene Jarecki (a second-rate Michael Moore), Reagan validates the professional Left’s continuing mystification about Reagan’s greatness. Fools.

Acting - Bad 1.0

Three talking heads dominate the explication:

• Ron Reagan Jr. provides a bit of insight into Ron Sr’s beginnings and self-image, albeit filtered through his obvious discomfort with and misunderstanding of his father’s political beliefs. Michael Reagan – who reveres his father’s political legacy – barely rates a cameo.
• Thomas Frank, best-selling left wing pundit, speaks at length.
• Will Bunch also gets in plenty of pot shots. Who’s he? The author of the Progressive Book Club favorite Tear Down This Myth.

Film - Pretty Awful 0.5

Hmm, left wing pundits dominate the film’s commentary. Where’s George Will, Charles Krauthammer or any Reagan admiring pundit? Must of been busy the day HBO came calling. Lame filmmaking, this.

Edge - Tame 1.0

Reality - Glib 1.3

Documentaries aren’t supposed to be glib. This one is, in extremis. Whoops.

3 Comments

• Wick Feb 14, 2011 10:39PM

  Good question MJ. As a history buff and political junky, I’m looking forward to the Kennedy miniseries. That one is a biopic, whereas Reagan is a documentary, so the reality standards will be looser.

• MJ5K Feb 14, 2011 10:32PM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Interesting take, Wick. After reading this review, I’ll definitely not watch this one. Should I expect the same bashing for the upcoming Kennedys Mini Series now that ReelzChannel’s picked it up?

• BrianSez Feb 14, 2011 2:15PM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Ouch. I’m definitely staying away from this one.

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