Reagan will be on screen at the Playhouse in New Canaan with the following showtimes:
August 30
10:15 AM and 1:15, 4:30, 7:45 PM
August 31
10:15 AM and 1:15, 4:30, 7:45 PM
September 1
1:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 7:30 PM
September 2
1:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 7:30 PM
September 3-4
1:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 7:30 PM
September 5
1:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 8:00 PM
For more details, visit the Playhouse website at https://playhouse.cinemalab.com/movie/reagan.
“From dusty small-town roots, to the glitter of Hollywood, and then on to commanding the world stage, REAGAN is a cinematic journey of overcoming the odds. Told through the voice of Viktor Petrovich, a former KGB agent whose life becomes inextricably linked with Ronald Reagan’s when Reagan first caught the Soviets’ attention as an actor in Hollywood, this film offers a perspective as unique as it is captivating.
Dennis Quaid brings to life a story that transcends the boundaries of a traditional biopic, offering a profound exploration of the enduring impact of the power of one man who overcame the odds, sustained by the love of a woman who supported him in his journey.
REAGAN releases in theaters nationwide on August 30, 2024.” Learn more at www.Reagan.Movie online.
The biopic is reportedly meant to be a cinematic homage to the 40th President of the United States, weaving together the public and private strands of a life that shaped an era. Drawing from Paul Kengor’s The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism, the film places Reagan’s unyielding opposition to communism at the heart of its narrative, framing his legacy within the high-stakes drama of the Cold War.
The story begins with the modest origins of a man who would become a giant on the world stage, eventually earning 99.8% of the electoral votes in the 1984 presidential election.
From his early days as a small-town boy with big dreams, to his rise as a Hollywood actor, Reagan’s journey is marked by compassion and a sense of destiny. The film works to capture his tenure at the Screen Actors Guild, where he battled against what he saw as the creeping influence of communism in the entertainment industry. Figures like Herb Sorrell and Dalton Trumbo emerge as ideological adversaries, with Reagan standing firm against what he perceived as threats to American values.
Critics have said that the depiction of Reagan’s personal life is touched with a certain brevity, that it is only in these glimpses that we see the man behind the myth. His first marriage to Jane Wyman is shown as strained, with Wyman portrayed as distant, perhaps disillusioned by Reagan’s growing political ambitions. The film will hint at the turmoil of this relationship, but does not linger, moving swiftly to his courtship with Nancy Davis. Nancy emerges as the steadfast partner, the one who grounds Reagan, with their relationship portrayed in scenes that convey a quiet, enduring bond.
Key moments, such as his challenge to Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” are depicted with a sense of historical gravitas. The film works to capture the public Reagan, the resolute leader and kind person.
A unique narrative device is introduced through the character of a retired Russian KGB spy, played by Jon Voight, who reflects on Reagan’s role in the downfall of the Soviet Union. This framing is emblematic of the film’s overarching tone—a celebration of Reagan’s triumphs.
Reagan seeks to capture the essence of a man who believed deeply in the American experiment, a leader who, through wit, charm, and conviction, navigated the United States through one of its most perilous periods. In its reverence, the film offers a portrait that is as much icon as it is individual.
Directed by Sean McNamara and starring, Dennis Quaid, Jon Voight, Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari, Lesley-Anne Down, David Henrie, Kevin Dillon, and Kevin Sorbo.
