ROB REINER

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBBBB. 

USA, 1995.  Universal Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Digital Image Associates.  Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin.  Cinematography by John Seale.  Produced by Rob Reiner.  Music by Marc Shaiman.  Production Design by Lilly Kilvert.  Costume Design by Gloria Gresham.  Film Editing by Robert Leighton.  

Rob Reiner scores high points with this delightful romantic comedy fuelled by a brilliant script by Aaron Sorkin (later the writer and creator of television’s The West Wing). President Michael Douglas has to juggle a career and a personal life when he finds himself smitten with the lobbyist (Annette Bening) who has just been brought in by the Environmental Protection Agency to argue an impending bill involving fossil fuel emissions. Unable to ignore their own personal political agendas or their growing mutual affection, the two try for clandestine dating but are unable to avoid the constantly invading eye of personal staff and public curiousity. Bening’s smile is potent enough to light up a whole room, Douglas is rarely this endearing, and all the smaller supporting characters in this Capraesque flight of fancy are delectably written. To boot, the political angle is handled with strength and impressive detail.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Original Score-Musical/Comedy

Golden Globe Award Nominations: Best Picture-Musical/Comedy; Best Actor-Musical/Comedy (Michael Douglas); Best Actress-Musical/Comedy (Annette Bening); Best Director (Rob Reiner); Best Screenplay