Reagan is a bio-pick we want to believe

If I haven’t stated clearly before, the Average Dude tries really, really hard to separate politics from entertainment. Politics have always been about as divisive as any topic we could discuss (with the possible exception of religion). I’m more than happy to discuss my political beliefs (just ask Mrs Average Dude, the poor girl) but not on this platform. This column is to have some fun and hopefully give you a bit of heads up on the latest offerings out of Hollywood. Because I love the medium and I love people. But sometimes it’s just unavoidable.

Reagan is cause for exception of the rule

It is commonly believed that the Reagan years were among the greatest of our lives for We The People. You can argue it was the music. You can argue it was a general acceptance of self-absorbed ‘me’ mentality. You can argue is was a return to financial prosperity from the crushing inflation of the previous administration. But it’s impossible to argue the absolute, intrinsic truth that Ronald ‘Dutch’ Reagan restored a sense of pride in America. He was strong. He was bold. He was genuine. And, as this bio-pic at least hints at, he was human.

A Leap of Faith

As with last year’s big bio-pic and winner of multiple Oscars Oppenheimer, Reagan tries to tell a little bit of the behind the scenes story of the subject matter. While Oppenheimer was tense and at time unseemly in it’s portrayals, Reagan is, for the most part, very wholesome. Where the former liked to concentrate on the human failings of the historical figures, Reagan presented a movie start cum politician that wanted nothing more than to help this country prevail against her foreign adversaries.

The Machine Strikes Back

Dennis Quaid did an amazing job portraying the vocal style and mannerisms Ronald Reagan and doesn’t get nearly enough credit from the Hollywood machine as he should. But that does not mean the machine has been silent. Oh, heavens, no. Critics nearly universally trash this movie as a blatantly conservative puff-piece. Contrary to those soul-less shills is the audience consensus. See what’s going on here? Kind of curious why the ‘critics’ haven’t started selectively editing the Audience scores to align with theirs. Am I being too mistrusting?

Maybe, maybe not.

In fairness, Reagan was quite kind to his memory. This begs the question ‘Was it honest?’ Taking politics out of the equation, I remind myself that the absence of salatious and unflattering scenes does not automatically make it dishonest. As a matter of fact, all actual statements from his contemporaries and my own memories of the Reagan years considered, I think it was closer to the truth. And if I’m being REALLY honest, I’m hoping it is.

Cynicism be damned

It is almost an intellectual must to look at government right now and suspect that, behind every politician, is a scandal that they could not survive if it were revealed. The bigger the name, the greater the suspicion. Reagan might just be the last, best politician we will ever have. With all his flaws, he meant to do what was right for this country. Even in his Iran-Contra scandal, his honest and contrite admission was best for us. And as this movie rightly points out, Americans are quick to forgive those that ask for it.

Like Santa. Or Travis and Taylor.

In the end, I think that most of us truly want to believe that Reagan was every bit the Crusader he was reported to be. It’s insanely hard to find someone to trust from that crazy world. A president who would lead through strength, make economic decisions that benefited everyone and restore America’s standing on the world stage. We want to believe Reagan was all of that because we want SO MUCH to believe we can have someone like that again.

Also in fairness

It is impossible to not see some of the parallels between Reagan and the current conservative presidential candidate. Both lead through strength. Both are not afraid to take a stand on the world stage or in front of our enemies. Heck, both took a bullet. But let’s not get crazy here. The current guy is NO Ronald Wilson ‘Dutch’ Reagan. I think all of that is totally fair to say. If you disagree or want to rail at me for saying it, fine. It’s a free country. All I ask is that you bring receipts. Otherwise, you’re just blowing air out of your facehole.

So, because you all know me to be an optimist of the highest order, I am going to go right ahead and believe that Reagan was pretty close to the truth (if a little one-sided). It’s fine. It’s not bad to think well of a man who did great things when this country needed someone to do great things for us. It’s not naive to hope that someday we’ll have another one. I’m giving Reagan a 4.2 out of 5. Politics be damned.

On further review of current circumstances, it may be a bit naive. I hope not, though.

BONUS***
My eldest daughter with the great Dennis Quaid and the Sharks in Anchorage. Very VERY cool, Snick!

***WARNING***
I just saw the movie poster for Captain America: Brave New World. Awesome poster. But the release date fills me with dispair. This is not a good sign…

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