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Created Feb 23, 2011 12:20PM PST • Edited Feb 23, 2011 01:02PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   A small town impersonator bears an uncanny resemblance to the President, and is asked to fill in for him while the president is ill. During his internship, he manages to win over the hearts of the people, balance the budget, win political favors, and woo the unsuspecting First Lady, by using common sense approaches, and a whimsical naivety to problems.

   Although I was initially intrigued because of the namesake, I struggle with this film. You watch it, and want to believe that it is that simple to fix our problems. You wonder if, and when, the government has used body doubles (probable). In addition, you wonder how utterly detached a President is from his family and friends while serving in office.

   In the end, I found it a somewhat enjoyable escape mechanism that entertained me, and made me chuckle in spots.

   Watched on DVD.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Kevin Kline does an adequate job of portraying the doe-eyed imposter asked to fill some very big shoes. While he never would be considered for an award by any stretch, he does bring a comforting down-home feel to the character.

   Sigourney Weaver does a nice job of playing the emotionally distant First Lady, while Frank Langella is great as a powerhungry Chief of Staff.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

   I don’t know why, but Charles Grodin irritates me. Luckily, Ben Kingsley appears enough in the film to compensate.

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Nicely filmed shots create the elegance of the White House.

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals OK 2.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

17. Sex Titillating 1.9

    Mostly tasteful scene involving sex, with no overt nudity. An obscured shower scene with Kline.

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Salty 1.6

    Some minor sear words through out the film.

21. Reality

    Glib 1.8

    Hard to fathom this happening in real life.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.5

23. Biological Glib 1.6

24. Physical Glib 1.4