My Fellow Americans | | Cast : | Jack Lemmon, James Garner | | Director : | Peter Segal | | Studio : | Warner Studios | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby | | Released Date : | December 20, 1996 | | DVD Released Date : | February 03, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | February 26, 2005 | | Summary | Hail to the chiefs | Content
 | At first glance, this looks one of Hollywood's freakier genetic experiments: implanting the genes of a political thriller into a road-trip comedy. The surpise is that the offspring is not just viable, but a good healthy comedy. It surely helps to have two fathers like James Garner and Jack Lemmon bringing it to life.
They play the roles of two ex-presidents, living out their retirements in their respective ways: grubbing every dollar to be had on the lecture circuit (Lemmon), or grabbing every babe to be had (Garner). Dan Aykroyd, improbably cast as the current president, detects a scandal brewing and tries to nail it to the previous administration. Garner and Lemmon, one-time political opponents, are thrown together and the chase begins.
The comedy comes largely from the series of cheap shots and snide recollections the two hurl at each other. The feel-good part comes from their bonding over shared experiences as past presidents, under the pressure of pursuit. The political thriller builds as the hired guns keep trying to assassinate the ex-pres, and to bury the scandal with him. As long as you're not looking for any great subtlety, it works.
It's a bit goofy, but it's a good, safe comedy with just enough plot twists to keep it from becoming completely predictable. It couldn't have worked without Garner and Lemmon in the lead roles, though - their experience in such roles is what made the movie work.
//wiredweird |
| Rating | | | Date | January 11, 2005 | | Summary | The Political Equivalant to "The Odd Couple" | Content
| And boy, are they odd. One President was an honest man, the other a lady's man. They fought each other for 30 years in the political arena, til a plot in the Oval Office brings the two together fleeing for their lives. It's one laugh after another. Lauren Bacall makes a cameo appearance as Jack Lemmon's wife. If you haven't seen this film and you are in need of a laugh, this is it. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 03, 2005 | | Summary | Grumpy Old Presidents | Content
| Former presidents (and long time rivals) Kramer (the late Jack Lemmon) and Douglas (James Garner) try to uncover the truth when Kramer is implicated in a Whitewater-style kick-back scandle. After Air Force Two crashes the two are believed to be dead. Now the two are on the run from the current President's (Dan Aykroyd) men, especially an over anxious trouble shooter (usually slimy Everett McGill). I know I have described a political action thriller, but this is actually a very funny crude humored comedy. The two old presidents are the next two characters in a growing film trend to show that senior citizens still have life left in them. As old as Kramer and Douglas are, they can still run through forests and jump off trains if nessesary. They also happen to hate each other to the point that it is almost counterproductive to have them working together trying to prove their innocents. Their rivalry provide a lot of the jokes. Another source of laughs are from where the two presidents have been away from regulor people for so long that they have lost touch with who the American people are. On their adventure they run across the illeagle immagrents, gays, and vagabond migrant workers. There is also a rather sad scene where the two run across a family that have nearley been ruined by both men's White House policies in one way or another. They have been so wrapped up in 'the game' that they forgot their decisions effect real people. But once again it sounds like it is a drama and not a really effective comedy. There is a lot of mileage comparing the two presidents with their real life counterparts. Douglas is a womanizer, clearly modeled on President Clinton. And Kramer, well, I think that because of his stingieness with a dollar he is supposed to be Regan, but that is just a guess. No doubt about who President Haney (Aykroyd) is supposed to be; he is President Nixon almost to a T. I really enjoyed the film, it was funny and pretty intellegent (though certainly not a brain teaser). Not for younger kids though. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 26, 2004 | | Summary | A Comedic Masterpiece | Content
| "My Fellow Americans" is quite simply one of the funniest, most entertaining movies I have ever had the pleasure of owning. I have watched this film well over 50 times and still laugh so hard, I bring myself to tears. The dialogue is clever and Jack Lemmon and James Garner deliver it perfectly. There have been many films over the years that have failed to become cinematic masterpieces for one reason or the other; with that said, this film indeed deserves to be crowned with that title. I must confess that I am not easily entertained and have been told by most of my friends that I am a tough shell to crack regarding comedy. This movie is one of those rare exceptions and for me rates right up there with "Auntie Mame" and "Some Like it Hot." I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in exceptional comedy to purchase this movie. I know that you will find the film as entertaining as I do. |
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