Reagan’s Hope

Ronald Reagan was a steadfast man of God who stood up for America and the American people against the Soviet Union and international communism during the Cold War.

Sean McNamara, the director of Reagan, opened the movie in modern-day Russia with an older man and his apprentice. The older man was Viktor Petrovich, a Soviet nuclear engineer from 1970-1986, telling the story of how Ronald Reagan ruined the Soviet Union and eventually made Petrovich’s name sink straight into the ground. Petrovich begins his narration by opening with Reagan’s desire for politics in Hollywood, fighting against the infiltration of communism in film, whose presence manipulated both actors and the audience. The Soviet Union wanted every aspect of life to reflect communism, and film was the best form of propaganda for younger generations. To go against Russia’s push for communism in Hollywood, Reagan joined the Screen Writers Guild to advocate for unions, better working conditions, and higher pay. His presence in SAG grew quite profound as he flew from just a member of the society to the President in a short amount of time. Reagan’s devotion to SAG kicked started his career to become governor of California and then the President of the free world.

Dennis Quaid portrayed Reagan’s character with brilliance and excellence. Respectful body language, mature facial expressions, and precise eye contact fully encapsulated the President’s calm and gentle demeanor. This elevated a friendly relationship he exponentially needed with Gorbachev to end communism’s potency in America and the world. It was not until Reagan’s second term when he encountered Gorbachev. The Soviet Union had experienced three leaders die back-to-back, but Gorbachev, a younger and energetic leader, brought youth and an optimistic approach to change the Soviet Union’s living conditions, ultimately doing what the previous Soviet leaders were incapable of accomplishing during their short reigns. Gorbachev was now the first sign of hope for the Soviets and Reagan.

In Reagan, scenes between Reagan and Gorbachev were friendly, provocative, and genuine. Whether McNamara wanted to elevate the friendship of Reagan and Gorbachev, or if the actors naturally had chemistry, these leader’s encounters helped me see the intentions behind both Gorbachev and Reagan.

It is not every day when Americans experience summits or conferences with foreign leaders, but this movie brought these encounters to life. In these summits portrayed so brilliantly in the film, Gorbachev cared for maintaining the traditional values of the Soviet Union but he also displayed an urgency in arranging partnerships amongst the United States and Britain. Considering the movie was about Reagan, it would have been productive if Thatcher and Reagan’s relationship was not cut during the film. Thatcher was not the main character, nor was she intended to be portrayed as such, but considering their relationship in real life, it was a missed opportunity to open up the other side of Reagan’s presidency on the big screen.

Before Reagan and Gorbachev, and even Thatcher, foreign leaders sought to peacefully coexist in the nuclear arms race. The movie did an excellent job with Reagan expressing an urgency for the American people if major cities like San Francisco, New York, or Chicago were destroyed. Reagan was a uniter, someone who cared deeply for all of America—even places that weren’t hospitable to him and his politics. With Gorbachev in office, Reagan found a partner willing to engage in strategic nuclear arms reduction, revealing Reagan (and Gorbachev) as peacemakers rather than cowboy warriors ready to unleash nuclear armageddon.

In the past, making any sort of arrangement with the Soviet Union was politically difficult. Now, however, Reagan was able to accomplish the impossible all the while with a smile on his face. Quaid used these scenes as a way to portray Reagan’s decisiveness and sincerity with gusto and vigilance. Quaid knew exactly what had to be done from an actor’s standpoint, and it was followed by a firm handshake and a tight forearm grab, revealing that Reagan knew exactly what he was after. Shaking Gorbachev’s hand in agreement (or any agreement or greeting) was the sign that each country was aligned. One misspoken promise or even a batted eye would destroy this fresh bond. This motion/action then revealed the power of the President’s pride and humility. Reagan did not want the West to break out into war over nuclear weapons with their Communist enemy. He was cooperating for the American people all the while fighting for God and His plan for America.

Reagan’s infamous challenge to Gorbachev was not early in his presidency but actually late in his presidency. The movie portrayed this scene as the climax of late 80s politics. While the speech did not receive positive reinforcement from West Germany, the Soviet Union, or Reagan’s own staff, it later became among the most famous speeches in history. Before traveling to Berlin, Reagan and Gorbachev were heading in the right direction towards peace. To Reagan, it was not enough, and he needed to push for more unity through a forceful rhetorical confrontation with the Soviet Union.

Reagan had originally traveled to Berlin to celebrate an anniversary and was not expected to make any sort of radical statement against Gorbachev. When his speech concluded, there was a slight pause, and you could hear Reagan’s thoughts were brewing. Moments later, he urged Gorbachev to open the Brandenburg Gate, which was conveniently right behind Reagan. And the statement “tear down this wall!” was revealed.

In the audience, staring at the screen as a former history student, it seemed that all my undergraduate and graduate studies had come full circle, and I was able, in that moment, to be living in history as if I were actually in Berlin, looking straight into Reagan’s sincere eyes. American history had simply come to life through Quaid’s skills.

The ending of Reagan told of his depreciating health as his Alzheimer’s grew gradually worse with time. Before Reagan lost all memory, he wrote these words to the American people, and it was read allowed by Quaid. He said, “In closing let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life.  I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends.  May God always bless you.”

As Quaid, acting as Reagan, rides on a horse into the sunset, I am reminded of an America we once had. Of an America our forefathers created. And an America Regan fought to preserve. It is the America that still has allure and can keep the American dream alive—especially now amid cultural and national fatigue. Reagan is a film that gives hope for the future, just as Reagan himself did during his life and presidency.

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