Reagan (2024)

Let’s try something new here.

Rather than tell you that this movie is simply a bland, by the numbers bore fest that glamorizes our 40th president (at least Quaid is honestly trying to go for it), I present an alternative (this is one of the rare occasions when AI will help me in a review.)

Title: “The Great Communicator: The Ronald Reagan Musical”

Act 1

Scene 1: The Prairie

Setting: Small town in Illinois, 1920s. A modest farmhouse with rolling fields in the background.

Song 1: “Dreams on the Prairie”

(Performed by young Ronald Reagan and his family)

Young Ronald Reagan: (Singing) “Out here where the fields are wide and free, The world seems as big as it can be. Dreams grow like the corn and the sky, I’ll chase them all before I say goodbye.”

Scene 2: Hollywood

Setting: The glitzy world of 1940s Hollywood. Studio lots, glamorous parties.

Song 2: “Lights, Camera, Reagan!”

(Performed by Ronald Reagan, Hollywood stars, and studio execs)

Ronald Reagan: (Singing) “From the cornfields to the silver screen, I’m chasing a new American dream. With every role and every line, I’ll find my place and I’ll shine.”

Scene 3: The Governor’s Mansion

Setting: California Governor’s Mansion, 1960s.

Song 3: “A New Day for California”

(Performed by Ronald Reagan, his staff, and supporters)

Ronald Reagan: (Singing) “We’re starting fresh with new ideals, With strength and hope, we’ll make a deal. A new day dawns with liberty’s light, California’s future looks so bright.”

Scene 4: The White House

Setting: The Oval Office, early 1980s.

Song 4: “The Great Communicator”

(Performed by Ronald Reagan and his advisors)

Ronald Reagan: (Singing) “I’ll speak of freedom and the strength we’ll find, In the hearts of every American mind. With a smile and a voice that can inspire, We’ll rise above and reach ever higher.”

Act 2

Scene 1: The Berlin Wall

Setting: The Berlin Wall, 1987.

Song 5: “Tear Down This Wall”

(Performed by Ronald Reagan, world leaders, and citizens of Berlin)

Ronald Reagan: (Singing) “Let the world hear this call, Break the chains and tear down this wall. For freedom’s song must ring out clear, From every city to every ear.”

Scene 2: The End of an Era

Setting: A reflective space, late 1980s.

Song 6: “Reflections of a Leader”

(Performed by Ronald Reagan, his wife Nancy, and close friends)

Ronald Reagan: (Singing) “I’ve seen the highs and felt the lows, In every challenge, our courage shows. From humble roots to the highest seat, We’ve made a mark that’s hard to beat.”

Scene 3: The Legacy

Setting: A montage of key moments in Reagan’s life, 1990s.

Song 7: “Legacy of the Great Communicator”

(Performed by the full cast, including young Reagan, Hollywood stars, and world leaders)

Ensemble: (Singing) “Through the years, his words still ring, A legacy of hope and everything. With every speech and every smile, He bridged the gaps across the miles.”

Scene 4: The Final Farewell

Setting: Ronald Reagan’s home, 2000s.

Song 8: “Goodnight, Mr. President”

(Performed by Nancy Reagan, the family, and close friends)

Nancy Reagan: (Singing) “Goodnight, dear love, your work is done, You’ve touched the hearts of everyone. With grace and honor, you took your stand, Rest now in peace, for you’ve led so grand.”

Curtain falls.

Finale:

The cast joins for a reprise of “The Great Communicator,” celebrating Reagan’s impact and legacy.

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Musical Elements:

• Music Style: A blend of classic Broadway tunes with a touch of 1980s pop and orchestral arrangements.
• Dance: Energetic numbers for Hollywood scenes, political rallies, and international moments.
• Set Design: Transforming from the humble prairie to the opulent Hollywood sets, the austere Governor’s Mansion, and the grandeur of the White House.
• Costumes: Period-appropriate attire for each era, from 1920s farmwear to 1980s executive suits.

Themes:

• The power of communication and inspiration.
• The journey from humble beginnings to national leadership.
• The impact of historical events on personal and national identity.

Sadly, this is not what we are given. All we have left is a film that reminds us of that great line from Airplane!:

“I haven’t felt this awful since I saw that Ronald Reagan film.”

Overall: