These days there are few things more acidic than modern day politics. To be fair, politics have always been competitive and sometimes contentious. But there was a time when rival parties good duke it out in the hallowed halls of Washington DC and then have drinks together afterwards. I may be wrong, but we seem far removed from that today, especially at the national level.

Ronald Reagan had a way of connecting with people regardless of which side of the political aisle they sat. Like all presidents he had his detractors, but he was able to speak in a way that earned him the moniker The Great Communicator. During Reagan’s presidency people were inspired when he called on Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. People were consoled when he addressed the nation following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. And people were collectively shocked when he was nearly assassinated by John Hinckley Jr. It was a different time.

Sean McNamara directs “Reagan”, a long developed biographical drama based on the life of the 40th President of the United States. Written for the screen by Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord, it’s based on Paul Kengor’s 2006 book “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism”. It’s an ambitious project that attempts to cover more ground than it probably should, often resembling a rapid-fire series of dramatized news clips more than a fully fleshed out story. Yet, “Reagan” remains as intriguing as its subject who is portrayed by a thoroughly committed Dennis Quaid.

The movie is framed by a conversation between a young Communist politician (Alexey Sparrow) described as the “rising star of Mother Russia” and an aged former KGB agent (Jon Voight) who followed Ronald Reagan’s rise which helped precipitate the Soviet Union’s fall. It’s through their discourse that we are transported back in time to key points in Reagan’s history. They include his small town childhood with his devout mother Nelle (Amanda Righetti) and his alcoholic father Jack (Justin Chatwin), his time as a lifeguard at Lowell Park, doing radio broadcasts, and playing football at Eureka College.

A lot of time is spent on Reagan’s Hollywood years where he made numerous feature films before and after enlisting in the military. But rather than focusing on his movies, McNamara hones in on the Reagan behind the scenes including his marriage to actress Jane Wyman (Mena Suvari) and their eventual divorce, his busy tenure as president of the Screen Actors Guild, and of course his first meeting with his future wife, Nancy Davis (Penelope Ann Miller). Through it all the film attempts to emphasize Reagan’s willingness to tackle problems head-on as well as his growing concern over the spread of Communism. And they factor into the next phase of his life – politics.

From there the movie chronicles Reagan’s rise through the political ranks beginning with his election as California Governor where he served eight years. It covers his loss to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican primary and his landslide 1980 victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter to become President of the United States. The filmmakers try to hit most major targets during his presidency: “Reaganomics”, Hinckley’s assassination attempt, the Iran-Contra affair, the Korean Air Lines tragedy, the famous Berlin Wall speech, and his Cold War chess match with Mikhail Gorbachev (Olek Krupa) just to name a few.

On more personal notes, McNamara often takes us back to Reagan’s loving relationship with his mother, stressing the impact she had on his life. We’re shown his mutual admiration and respect with Margaret Thatcher (Lesley-Anne Down), his friendship with Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (Dan Lauria), and the endless support he receives from Nancy. It all culminates in the film’s touching finish that addresses his failing health including being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Reagan” features an enormous cast, most of who deliver solid performances. But it’s Dennis Quaid who rightly earns the most attention. It takes some time and effort, but he is ultimately convincing with his look, voice, and mannerisms. In an attempt to make him look younger, some early scenes are visually awkward with too much digital gloss. But the story reaches a point where Quaid falls rather seamlessly into Reagan’s skin. It’s here that his performance really elevates.

The film does run into a few common biopic traps. For example its story structure is fairly routine, the writing can be rose-tinted and a little on-the-nose, and it overdramatizes a couple of key scenes. But the movie’s biggest issue is its ambition. It simply tries to cover too much. As a result, several events in Reagan’s life get shortchanged. And it can be hard to follow along as McNamara darts from one significant moment to the next. It’s a bit like watching a CliffsNotes version of Reagan’s life.

Even with its issues, “Reagan” takes us on a fascinating biographical journey through an extraordinary American life. It’s a well-made and well-acted feature that looks at Ronald Reagan through an undoubtedly sympathetic lens yet without ever turning overtly political. Instead its interests are in exploring Reagan’s challenges and achievements, balancing them with the man he was underneath. It offers a compelling perspective on a broad timeline of events. And like Reagan himself, it’s a movie that can speak to anyone who can hear beyond their own political affiliation. “Reagan” opens in theaters August 30th.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS