‘Reagan’ Film Celebrates his Legacy as an American Statesman

Initially, they oppose you and look down on you.

Subsequently, they reluctantly admit that you had more abilities than they initially thought.

After that, they acknowledge your accomplishments.

And finally, they create a glowing feature-length movie about you.

This has been the journey of Ronald Reagan and his reputation, even though the new film “Reagan” wasn’t made by his former critics. 

“Reagan” encompasses all the significant moments of the Republican’s life and career, with no famous line or episode left out.

Based on the book “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism” by Grove City College scholar Paul Kengor, the movie’s structure involves an old, former KGB agent explaining to a rising Russian politician how Reagan emerged victorious in the Cold War. 

The decision to cover Reagan’s entire life in a standard biopic style may not appeal to everyone, just as the film’s open celebration of its subject may not.

If the movie is complimentary, it is also authentic and justified: Reagan was an exceptional statesman who triumphed in a monumental battle between totalitarianism and freedom.

His political skills and accomplishments were truly extraordinary. 

How did he achieve this?

Reagan had a solid understanding of economics and history, thanks to a good, if not elite, American education for his time.

He supplemented this with a lifetime of reading and analyzing his thoughts.

There is a scene in the movie where Reagan is depicted reading a book late at night, and his wife Nancy asks him — after seeing the cover — if he prefers spending time with Whittaker Chambers or her. 

Being an actor by profession, Reagan possessed a range of skills in projecting an image and communicating effectively, essential qualities in politics, especially at the highest level.

“There have been times in this office,” Reagan stated as president, “when I wondered how you could do the job if you hadn’t been an actor.”

It was a misconception to believe that Reagan was merely reciting someone else’s lines.

His reputation began to improve after he left office because it became evident how much of the material he wrote was his own, both before and during his presidency.

His worldview was undeniably his own. 

Reagan was known for his endless supply of jokes and stories, along with his talent for one-liners, which allowed him to illustrate points in a charming manner, defuse opposition, and soften his perceived hard-line positions. 

When dealing with the Cold War, he had a deep understanding of Soviet communism.

He saw the conflict as a moral struggle between good and evil and firmly believed that victory was necessary, and ultimately inevitable.

Yet, Reagan knew when to be firm and when to compromise, when to stand firm and when to engage in dialogue. He combined his strong views with a strong aversion to war and nuclear weapons.

This unique combination was incredibly effective during a tense geopolitical standoff between a Eurasian empire and the United States. 

In addition to all this, Reagan was a profoundly compassionate man, with a deep faith in America and its people.

One telling example of his character is that after being shot and nearly killed in 1981, he immediately forgave his would-be assassin and sought to meet with him.

In a less serious incident, the movie portrays Reagan insisting on writing a note to a boy after the child’s goldfish — briefly under the president’s care — passed away. 

Despite the familiar content, Reagan’s enduring qualities shine through, making the movie still inspiring.

Reagan’s 1987 “tear down this wall” speech in Berlin, for example, continues to evoke emotions every time it’s heard. 

Like Lincoln or Truman, Reagan now belongs to all of us, and “Reagan” illustrates why. 

Twitter: @RichLowry