Some folks are going to gloss over reviews (such as some in this list) from those who are overt fans of Reagan. Well, take it from one who wasn't a fan, at least while he was President, it's a good movie.
Sure, it's celebration of Reagan, but that is because he was an impactful President and mostly for the better (my appreciation for him grew after he left office, particularly after the USSR imploded). It also adheres closely to actual history. The narrator may have been contrived and some childhood stories may be embellished, but it otherwise traces the arc of his life and career well.
Initially, I didn't think Dennis Quaid's physical differences with the actual Reagan made him a good fit for the role. However, as the movie progressed, he matched the voice and mannerisms well enough for me to imagine the real thing. For whatever reason, Reagan's children (with one brief exception) are entirely absent from the film. That aside, it did a good job depicting Ron and Nancy's deep bond and an after-hours break from partisanship (I'm referring to Reagan's interactions with Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill) that we could certainly use today.
The movie will obviously appeal to his fans, but it's a good watch for American and political history buffs as well.
