Half of this movie is a pleasant enough romantic fantasy of a love affair between two intelligent, mature adults, the widower President and an environmental lawyer-lobbyist. Unfortunately, the other half is a ham handed liberal political fantasy about the Bill Clinton we wished we had instead of the Bill Clinton we actually got.
Michael Douglas plays rock-like decency. Annette Benning, who usually portrays formidable women, is required to act almost girlishly shy in the first stages of the relationship. Martin Sheen, warming up for The West Wing, plays the Chief of Staff.
The high point of the movie, though not intended as such, is a meeting of senior White House staff who have decided that the President's new romance is causing political trouble and that Something Must Be Done. Michael J. Fox opens the meeting by demanding assurance that they won't even think about discussing anything potentially illegal, "because it's always the guy in my job who winds up doing 18 months in Danbury"
Michael Douglas plays rock-like decency. Annette Benning, who usually portrays formidable women, is required to act almost girlishly shy in the first stages of the relationship. Martin Sheen, warming up for The West Wing, plays the Chief of Staff.
The high point of the movie, though not intended as such, is a meeting of senior White House staff who have decided that the President's new romance is causing political trouble and that Something Must Be Done. Michael J. Fox opens the meeting by demanding assurance that they won't even think about discussing anything potentially illegal, "because it's always the guy in my job who winds up doing 18 months in Danbury"