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The American President

The American President
Cert. 15
Film and video

Bill Clinton was safely re-installed in the White House in the autumn of 1996 for a second term as the American President. In the election campaign there were moments when personal insults were traded back and forth and the whole political system given a 'thumbs-down' by the apathetic American voter.
At the Palace of Westminster, politicians continue the race to put their political flag on the moral high ground. MPs on all sides will continue to tell us with a surprised look 'What, you didn't know I was a Christian?' as they bid for the votes of decent British citizens.
'The American President', which recently came out on video, sits very nicely with the political climate in both sides of the Atlantic. Andrew Shepherd is a Clintonesque President coming to the end of his first term of office. He won last time mainly because his wife had died a few months earlier, and the electorate, perceiving him to be kind and morally upright because of his conduct through this crisis, voted him in. But now, in order to woo wavering voters, he is on the verge of pushing though an ill-thought-out crime bill aimed to give the cosmetic impression he is getting tough on guns.
But then, during discussions on reducing toxic emissions, President Shepherd meets and subsequently falls in love with a beautiful young environmental lobbyist. He woos her at a state banquet in honour of a visiting foreign dignitary, and naturally, the following morning's papers have her face plastered all over the front pages.
The rest of the film turns on three major themes - firstly, the conflict of interest between the President whose priority is guns and his lover whose priority is the environment. Then there is the question of whether a President can find sufficient time to have a meaningful relationship, and lastly, the film details how the President's character is trashed by his opponent because of what is seen as his immoral relationship.
This is an enjoyable film. The plot is quite clever and it's fascinating to feel that you're getting a glimpse of the life of the most powerful man in the world. Humanity is not something one readily associated with politicians, so thinking about a US President falling in love was a first for me. A family could enjoy this film together - swearing and smooching rarely get a look in - and it's sufficiently stimulating to be of value, but funny and touching too.
Unfortunately, when the film does seek to address the question of moral decision-making in government, it turns into a trite and soppy eulogy which is too corny and unfeasible to be taken seriously. It's trying to say that the real needs of people should be put before short term political gain, but the Hollywood treatment of this important issue does it no justice and rather makes you want to look for the nearest sick-bag.
Finally, the film does raise some interesting questions about the nature of relationships. How often do we put our friends and family above our work commitments? Should we re-assess our priorities if we find we are neglecting our Christian responsibilities to wives, husbands, children or parents? As busy as modern life is, who are we putting first? But 'work widows' can take some comfort from this film - when was the last time your husband had to call off a romantic meal because Iraq had just fired a missile at Israel?
It was also challenging to note how excited and over-awed the young lobbyist was when the President said he loved her. The most powerful man in the world was declaring his love for her. How much greater should be our excitement and gratitude be when the Almighty God, to whom the world's greatest leaders are like dust, declares his undying love to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Surely our hearts should be burning with love for him because the Ruler of the Universe has said that he loves us. I, for one, am embarrassed by my coldness.

Ashleigh Crowter,
Cardiff