The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Film Review: ‘The Reagan Show’

by Stephen Jones June 24, 2017
by Stephen Jones June 24, 2017 0 comments
2.1K

To say that Ronald Reagan is the subject of The Reagan Show would be misleading.

Indeed, the life, times, and politics of the 40th President are somewhat ancillary. So, if you’re looking for an in-depth feature examining his politics and policies and how they continue to affect the country today (whether for better or for worse, however, usually comes down to party affiliation), go somewhere else. That’s beyond the scope of this documentary. Instead, this compact and compelling film seeks to show how Reagan’s presidency was portrayed, both in the media and by the White House itself. It just so happens that the made-for-TV president was Ronald Reagan.

In many respects, the case directors Sierra Pettengill and Pacho Velez make is more important than a point-by-point policy breakdown when you take a look at current cultural proclivities. This also means that The Reagan Show is unsettling and upsetting to watch.

This all-archival film has no narration. No expert witnesses. No character witnesses. Every bit of the footage comes from television news reports and the White House’s own tapes; a few brief title cards interspersed throughout give the audience the right amount of context.

One of the first title cards gives us the context that is essential to understanding the film’s thesis: the Reagan White House amassed as much footage documenting his presidency as the previous five administrations combined. Most (all?) of this footage aimed to keep the continuity of Reagan as an affable, likable, All-American type of guy that was established in his Hollywood days as a leading man fighting for justice in whatever form the genre dictated.

It shows the rehearsals for photo-ops; improvising a bit with a chainsaw, a tree, and across Mrs. Reagan for laughs; trying to get the pronunciation of a name of a gubernatorial candidate he claims on-camera as a friend (only to say in-between takes that he’s never met the guy). If you only saw the finished products (as everyone did at the time), you probably couldn’t help but like the guy at least a little bit. He comes off as a natural charmer. All of this footage is cut around a chronological progression of the media coverage of Reagan’s presidency. This is where the aforementioned directors and the writing team of Josh Alexander, Francisco Bello, and Pacho Velez show their talents and mastery of their craft.

An all-archival documentary is a tricky beast to master. It’s easy to come out the other side with a film that is shapeless and aimless and therefore inert. But, the creative team gave The Reagan Show a clear narrative backbone in nuclear policy, beginning with the much-mocked “Star Wars” defense plan of anti-missile weapons in space to his final armament agreement with Mikhail Gorbachev. Throughout this period of several years, we see clearly the increasingly critical discussion around Reagan’s stubborn policies contrasted with the White Houses’s steadfast adherence to the image of Ronald Reagan as everyman hero.

The Reagan Show doesn’t have any obvious political leanings, and what you get out of it will probably largely depend on how you personally feel about Reagan and his legacy. And that’s fine. But what the film does give us is a portrait of the rise of politicians as television personalities first, public servants second. While there’s no direct condemnation of this particular cultural shift, it does lay the blame firmly at Reagan’s feet. Of course, the implications of this new age of politics and their obvious pertinence to recent political happenings in the United States probably go without saying. They go without saying so much, in fact, that a whole lengthy essay could be (and most likely has been) written about the evolution of politics from solemnity to reality television. But that’s beyond the scope of a film review.

For the most part, the film gives us all the parts and lets us draw our own conclusions on whether this trickle down legacy of the Reagan administration has been for the better or for the worst.

Oh yeah. And it’s also a wonderful and important documentary.

Opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, June 30.

The Reagan Show
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Stephen Jones

previous post
Anupam Kher Speaks At The UN’s International Day Of Yoga Special Event
next post
Exclusive: Dave Franco, Fred Armisen, and Jeff Baena Talk ‘The Little Hours’ [Video]

Related Posts

Janelle Monáe and BACARDÍ Rum Haunt Santa Monica...

October 31, 2025

Bun B on 20 Years of Trill, Working...

October 31, 2025

Meet GOOD JUJU, the label that could redefine...

October 31, 2025

Mango Cart Mas is Stronger Than Yesterday

October 31, 2025

Port Sa’id: Restaurant Review

October 30, 2025

Unruly Agency Held 6th Annual Halloween Party Hosted...

October 30, 2025

Earn Your Leisure Talks Foundation Forward & Financial...

October 29, 2025

Hedda Is The Truth

October 29, 2025

Hello Sunshine’s Third Annual Shine Away

October 29, 2025

The Pink Agenda’s Annual Gala at Tribeca Rooftop

October 28, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

We spoke with @truewhitaker last night at the prem We spoke with @truewhitaker last night at the premiere of @hbomax’s I Love LA!
We spoke with @holtlauren last night at the premie We spoke with @holtlauren last night at the premiere of @hbomax’s I Love LA!
We attended @hellosunshine’s 3rd annual Shine Aw We attended @hellosunshine’s 3rd annual Shine Away event, held at @universalstudioslot in Los Angeles! 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/hello-sunshines-third-annual-shine-away/

✍️: Katherine Wright

-
#HelloSunshine #Universal #LosAngeles
We spoke with @treaclychild last night at the prem We spoke with @treaclychild last night at the premiere of her brand-new show, I Love LA!
Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch