‘Reagan’ movie trashed by liberal film critics as ‘worshipful’ ‘propaganda,’ but reviewers loved Obama tribute

According to The Washington Post's film critic, Reagan fans might not notice the new movie is 'a hagiography as rosy and shallow as anything in a Kremlin May Day parade'

Dennis Quaid reflects on President Reagan's fight against communism ahead of 'Reagan' premiere

"Reagan" star Dennis Quaid remarks on how the former president would feel about 2024 political platforms, and why he was so adamant against communism on the steps of Reagan's boyhood home in Dixon, Ill.

A new film out in theaters this weekend exploring the life of former President Ronald Reagan has been overwhelmingly rejected as "worshipful" "propaganda" by liberal film critics. 

Although "Reagan," starring Dennis Quaid, seemed to be well received by audiences with a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes as of Friday, it only had a 26% critic score.

Far-left media outlet The Daily Beast didn't hold back in trashing the film as "the worst movie of the year."

"You may have suspected that this MAGA-tinged hagiography would be absolute trash, but it turns out you didn’t think low enough," entertainment critic Nick Schager wrote. 

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Dennis Quaid in character as Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office

Dennis Quaid in character as Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office (Noah "Nanea" Hamilton/Rawhide Pictures)

"Regardless of how you feel about Ronald Reagan the president, most will be united in finding this biopic a preachy, plodding, graceless groaner," he added.

"Considering its ceaseless hero worship, it’s unsurprising that Reagan concludes with an Alzheimer’s-afflicted Reagan riding off into the sunset. Yet for all the effort it expends trying to sell the late president as the embodiment of American virtue, McNamara’s film is so ungainly and transparent that it plays like embarrassing propaganda," the scathing review concluded.

Washington Post critic Ty Burr also called the film "rosy and shallow," and "pop-culture propaganda."

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"The faithful for whom ‘Reagan’ was made aren’t likely to see that it’s a hagiography as rosy and shallow as anything in a Kremlin May Day parade. As pop-culture propaganda — popaganda, if you will — the movie’s strictly for true believers. As history, it’s worthless," Burr added.

‘REAGAN’ STAR DENNIS QUAID BRUSHES OFF BEING ‘CANCELED,’ SAYS FACEBOOK CENSORED MOVIE

Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller in character as Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan

Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller in character as Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan (Rob Batzdorff/Rawhide Pictures)

Variety's "Reagan" review was less brutal than others but still characterized it as a "blatantly worshipful biopic."

The Hollywood Reporter critic Stephen Farber similarly summarized the film as an "overly reverential tribute to a controversial politician."

While critics scorned the film which warmly portrayed the beloved Republican president, 2016's "Southside with You," a romantic film about former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama's first date, was celebrated by critics.

The film received rave reviews and a 91% score by critics (71% audience).

The New Yorker hailed the "authentic joy" of the film, while Rolling Stone said the Obama film "casts a magic spell by blending budding love with fierce intelligence."

Conservative movie reviewer Christian Toto, host of The Hollywood in Toto podcast, told Fox News Digital that while film critics can rightfully trash or praise any film they choose, "the near universal disdain for ‘Reagan’ speaks to something else."

"And the various times the word ‘hagiography’ appears as a slur is just one clue," he continued. Toto drew a contrast to how critics have received biopics on famous liberal figures:

"Film critics, by and large, lean relentlessly to the left, and they let that flavor their reviews. So, when a Michael Moore film hits theaters, the response will be glowing, by and large, regardless of the content. The recent projects tied to progressive heroes like President Barack Obama ('Southside with You') and Ruth Bader Ginsberg ('RBG') are similarly hailed even by those who use the term ‘hagiography,’" he continued.

"'Reagan,’ which unabashedly praises both Ronald Reagan and his legacy, is seen through a radically different lens," he said.

Kristine Parks is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Read more.

Authored by Kristine Parks via FoxNews August 30th 2024