The American President: Difference between revisions
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[[File:the-american-president-movie-poster-1995-1020190694_1802.jpg|frame]]
''The American President'' is a 1996 romantic drama directed by Rob Reiner (in his first film after the infamous ''[[North]]'') and written by [[Aaron Sorkin]], starring [[Michael Douglas]], Annette Bening, [[Michael J. Fox]], and [[Martin Sheen]]. These days it is most noted for being basically a dress rehearsal for Sorkin's later
US President Andrew Shepherd (Douglas), previously the governor of Wisconsin and a widower/single father, is on top of the world as the movie starts. His poll numbers are excellent, and together with his staff, which includes Chief of Staff A. J. MacInerney (Sheen) and Lewis Rothschild (Fox), he is planning to pass a major new crime bill. However, things change when he meets Sydney Ellen Wade (Bening), an environmental lobbyist who has been hired to push for new legislation. After the typical [[Meet Cute]], Shepherd asks her out, and they begin dating, which of course draws major media interest.
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=== Tropes featured include: ===
* [[Adorkable]]: Pres. Shephard may be the most powerful man in the world but he is also just a guy who wants to win the heart of the girl he likes and basically can't stop smiling the first time he meets her
* [[American Title]]
* [[Captain Obvious]]: "My name is Bob Rumson, and I'm running for President!"
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* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: It's a film written by Aaron Sorkin, so needless to say, EVERYONE is this.
* [[Expy]]: Most of the major characters are embryonic versions of the cast of Sorkin's ''[[The West Wing]]'', which makes watching it an interesting experience for fans of the show. For instance:
** Andrew Shepherd = Jed Bartlet.
** A. J. = Leo.
** Robin = C. J.
** Lewis = Josh.
** Leon = Toby.
** Mrs. Chapil = Mrs. Landingham.
* [[Fiery Redhead]]: Sydney.
* [[Gilligan Cut]]: When the amount of coverage starts to heat up, Sydney goes to the White House, telling her sister that she plans to end their relationship. She ends up consummating it instead.
* [[I Just Want to Be Normal]]: Pres. Shephard regarding his relationship with Sydney.
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'''President Shepherd:''' 'Nice shot, Mr. President?' You won't even call me by my name when we're playing pool?
'''A.J.:''' [[Dr. Seuss|I will not do it playing pool, I will not do it in a school. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam I Am.]]<br />
'''President Shepherd:''' At ease, A.J., at ease.
* [[Shown Their Work]]: You'd be hard-pressed to find a more accurate portrayal of the day-to-day workings of the White House. The sets would be re-used for ''[[The West Wing]]''.
* [[Spiritual Successor]]: ''[[The West Wing]]''.
* [[Strawman Political]]: Bob Rumson, whose political party is never named, but that's not fooling anyone.
** Actually, he is named as a GOP candidate at one point, so he's confirmed as a Republican. It's just easy to miss.
* [[They Call Me Mister Tibbs]]: A.J. consistently calls Andrew "Mr. President" even when they're alone, despite them having been the best of friends for years
{{quote|'''A.J.:''' Nice shot, Mr. President.
'''Andrew:''' "Nice shot, ''Mr. President''"?! You won't even call me by my name when we're playing pool?
'''A.J.:''' I will not do it playing pool. I will not do it in a school. I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them. Sam--
'''Andrew:''' At ease, AJ. '''At ease!'''
* [[What the Hell, Hero?]]: Louis gives this one to Shepherd, but he has a good response to it.
* [[World of Cardboard Speech]]: Shepard's final speech where he addresses the whole controversy and admits his own faults both in his relationship with Sydney and with the stance he needed to make with policies and bills as the President.
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