Khoi Vinh’s review published on Letterboxd:
SO CUTE. It says this was released in 1993 but this Ivan Reitman-directed political farce has all the magical, simplistic (bordering on dunderheaded) hallmarks of a 1940s studio comedy. Its premise is entirely unbelievable and it weaves a frankly ridiculous tapestry out of fanciful ideas or maybe willful misconceptions of how politics and government actually work. But it’s nevertheless glowing with heart and sparkling with elegance in a way you’d have to call “Capra-esque.” Half the work is done by Reitman’s two leads: Kevin Kline pulls off a nimble and hugely charismatic performance as both an a**hole of a president as well as his irrepressibly humanistic doppelgänger, and Sigourney Weaver is radiant as a principled truth-seer of a first lady. Together they’re dynamite and you can’t help but want to see them connect romantically. The supporting cast is also impeccable, including a truly sinister Frank Langella, a heartwarmingly stoic Ving Rhames, and a likably enabling Kevin Dunn. Together with Reitman’s flawless execution (this is likely his best film), everything transcends its formula.
Watched it with the kids. The two younger ones had lots of questions about the particulars of government (they missed out on Schoolhouse Rock!) but they pronounced it “good” nevertheless.
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