The Two Groups that Should See New Movie Reagan (2024) with Trailer

From an online movie review of Reagan (2024) by someone named Dr. Robert Matthews is this quote. “Dennis Quaid knocked it out of the park. He did a phenomenal job depicting the famous Ronald Reagan and his life story as president and on a personal note he depicted Reagan as a real human being, who cared about America…” Matthews said of himself: “Dr. Robert Matthews decorated. Former United States, Marine officer, Vietnam. Former chief of medical, clinical vocational, psychological services state of California 27 years.” Matthews added about the movie that he: “would highly recommend that you watch this movie and bring your young family to see it so they understand our history more comprehensively.”

My family and I went to see the movie Reagan yesterday. As a movie buff and multiple award-winning student of history, I was pleasantly surprised by the movie and its “based on a true” story telling.

There are two groups that I think should see this movie. Those under 40 and those over 40.

Dr. Matthews gave the movie 5 stars. The overall rating at this time is 4.7 stars, which in our times is also a pretty strong endorsement. Matthews’ description was deemed “helpful” by over 260 people at the time I am writing this. As we are going to the Magyar club at noon today, I will keep this shorter than I’d like.

“You will not be disappointed is the best money you have ever spent for real life experience depicted by seasoned actor Dennis Quaid.” Also quoting Matthews: “A big kudos to everyone for a job well done.”

Matthews explained as part of his background and obvious enthusiasm for the movie that he was twice honored as “professor of the year” at Saddleback College in 2015 and is the “highest rated professor ever at the college for 20 years.” Dr. Matthews also said that he was, “Recipient of nine accommodations from the US Surgeon General and the US Department of Justice.”

Perhaps most tellingly, Matthews made Reagan personal by saying that he was the “Recipient of two letters personally written by Ronald Reagan to me honoring…the work I did for 12 years with the US public health service, Indian health services on reservations…” A tip of the hat to Matthews and the following reviewer, who also shared his personal connection to late Ronald Reagan.

Another online reviewer I checked out that gave 5 stars is Paul Skousen. He wrote the following (typos in the original movie-review post).

“I was there on rotation to the Reagan White House in the mid 1980s, assigned as an intelligence officer in the Situation Room, during the Iran Contra affair, and got to watch things from the inside. He was as decent and great and kind and tough as they portrayed. I so admire all that President Reagan accomplished and put up with during his two terms. A Secret Service friend let me glance through his library, just off the Oval Office, and ALL the books there were his, annotated, underlined---he was extremely well read, something I never knew. The actors' portrayals of President Reagan and Nancy were excellent. Their efforts realistically brought back some wonderful memories. Highly recommend this movie to everyone. His two maxims---service to others and the nation, and reverence to God---he lived as best a flawed human, like the rest of us, could. His was a formula for great leadership that I wish was sincerely embraced and practiced by our leaders of today. Thank you to all those involved in bringing his challenging labors and grand achievements to the screen.”

Since it is in the movie trailer, posted below, I won’t give it away that an angle used in the story-telling of the movie is that of a KGB officer who was given the assignment of reporting to his superiors on President Reagan. Clever, and nicely done.

Presidents have thousands of details that have to be considered in crafting a story like this. So, there are historical items that some will think should have been shown. But this isn't a superficial story, to my eye. They wove into the storyline specific flaws and controversies in a fair manner.

“Dutch” Reagan’s humble beginnings are included. The fact that while Reagan was an actor, right or wrong, he was never considered to be one of the greats of his era is also shown.

Meaning, like Matthews and Skousen said, a very human portrayal of the man is provided.

We had three theaters within a thirty-minute drive to pick from that has the movie.

Why should those under 40 see this?

According to Statista, over half of the U.S. population was born since Reagan was president. 21.71 percent of the population (Millennials: 1981-1996), plus 20.69 percent (Gen Z: 1997-20212) and 12.76 percent (Gen Alpha: 2012 to 2023) adds up to 55.16 percent.

Politics in our times may cloud the understanding of an era when then Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O'Neill (MA-D) and a former Democrat turned Republican (i.e.: Reagan) could battle by day, but share a friendly drink at night.

By the way, and FWIW, it seems to me that there is one small detail in the video trailer that I didn’t detect in the movie. Every scene shown in the movie promo is in it, but if I’m not wrong, one detail in the video “trailer” for Reagan is not. I checked the credits, which mentioned that the movie is based on the book "The Crusader" by Paul Kengor.

Reagan (2024) is a tale told with drama, romance, tragedy, comedy, and realism that may make you laugh and perhaps at times cry. Two thumbs up. Glad we watched it on the big screen. ##

L. A. "Tony" Kovach, multiple award winner in history, including the coveted Lottinville Award from the University of Oklahoma as a freshman. I'm keen on affordable housing, among other issues. We live in Winter Haven FL.