The biographical film ‘Reagan’, featuring Dennis Quaid as former President Ronald Reagan, is set to return to theaters with additional scenes as America marks its 250th anniversary. Plans include screenings for limited audiences on July 4 in over a dozen cities, followed by a wider rerelease in September across 600 theaters.
The rerelease will showcase an extra 10 minutes of footage not included in the film’s original version. According to Deadline, the new content comprises scenes depicting moments between Reagan and his wife Nancy, interactions with Reagan’s father, Jack, as well as scenes at the Reagans’ ranch near Santa Barbara. Previously, the film earned over $30 million worldwide, reported by Box Office Mojo.
Director Sean McNamara expressed his enthusiasm about the extended cut. He remarked that one of the challenges in directing a feature film is leaving exceptional moments behind during editing. McNamara is pleased that some of his favored scenes have returned for audiences to witness.
Critics vs. Audience Reception
The original release of ‘Reagan’ drew attention due to the significant difference in reception between critics and audiences. The film exhibited a stark contrast on Rotten Tomatoes, achieving a 17% critics’ score against a 98% audience score. Author Paul Kengor, whose books formed the basis for the film, highlighted the disparity, likening it to Reagan’s 1980 presidential victory.
Kengor noted the critics’ negative opinions paralleled the opposition Reagan faced from some quarters during his election campaigns. He recounted that Reagan won the 1984 election by securing 49 out of 50 states, a clear indicator of his popularity despite criticism from certain sectors.
Kengor stated, “You had these liberal critics who didn’t like him, and they were very much in the minority. And I tell my students today, I tell other people, when you meet some liberal professor who is slamming Ronald Reagan in the classroom, just say, ‘You know, professor, but how did the guy win 49 out of 50 states?’”
Negative reviews from outlets like The Boston Globe labeled the film an “interminable hagiography,” whereas The Washington Post criticized its historical value, and The Daily Beast called it the worst movie of the year.
Despite this, Kengor emphasized Reagan’s widespread appeal, drawing parallels between audience reception and voting statistics, reminding readers of Reagan’s victory in the vast majority of states.
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