Progressives Hate ‘Reagan’ Movie, but Audiences Love It

If you need any more evidence that there is a gap the width of the Grand Canyon between the views of progressive elites and many average Americans, look no further than the reaction to Reagan, the new biographical film starring Dennis Quaid that launched in theaters last Thursday. Movie critics have done everything but pour boiling tar on the film and its makers. On the Rotten Tomatoes review site, Reagan earns a 20 percent “rotten” rating based on 46 reviews by critics.

The Daily Beast didn’t waste any time, slamming Reagan as “the worst movie of the year.” Boston critic Sean Burns calls it “a children’s story for the adult diaper set.” The AV Club claims that the film’s references to Reagan’s faith spring from its origins in the “christofascist content creation world.” Milder takes are that the film is shallow, idolatrous “historical hooey,” and a giant bore.

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John Fund

John Fund is National Review’s national-affairs reporter.

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Ronald Reagan

If you need any more evidence that there is a gap the width of the Grand Canyon between the views of progressive elites and many average Americans, look no further than the reaction to Reagan, the new biographical film starring Dennis Quaid that launched in theaters last Thursday. Movie critics have done everything but pour boiling tar on the film and its makers. On the Rotten Tomatoes review site, Reagan earns a 20 percent “rotten” rating based on 46 reviews by critics.

The Daily Beast didn’t waste any time, slamming Reagan as “the worst movie of the year.” Boston critic Sean Burns calls it “a children’s story for the adult diaper set.” The AV Club claims that the film’s references to Reagan’s faith spring from its origins in the “christofascist content creation world.” Milder takes are that the film is shallow, idolatrous “historical hooey,” and a giant bore.