Presidents’ Day might not be widely celebrated, beyond furniture sales and a day off school, but if you feel like honoring some of our country’s best — or even controversial — leaders, here are a few films to check out.
“Lincoln” (2012): Steven Spielberg directs this biopic that won Daniel Day-Lewis an Oscar for his portrayal of the titular president. The film tells the story of Abraham Lincoln struggling with the Civil War as he also faces political battles to emancipate enslaved Black Americans. Streaming on Paramount+.
“Thirteen Days” (2000): Kevin Costner stars as presidential adviser Kenny O’Donnell alongside Bruce Greenwood as John F. Kennedy as they work to contain the Cuban Missile Crisis. Rent on Amazon Prime.
“ LBJ” (2016): This biopic stars Woody Harrelson as Lyndon B. Johnson, showing him being sworn in as president after the assassination of John F. Kennedy and dealing with the civil rights issues of the 1960s. Streaming on The Roku Channel, Kanopy and Pluto TV.
“Nixon” (1995): Anthony Hopkins stars as Richard Nixon in his film about Nixon’s life, rise to the presidency and his later fall. Rent on Amazon Prime.
“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (2013): If you want to get more than one presidency in a single movie check out this one. Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) serves eight presidents as a butler in the White House and watches American history unfold. Streaming on Amazon Prime and Paramount+.
Those looking for the escape of a fictional story can check out “The American President,” a romantic comedy starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening, in which a president and an environmental lobbyist fall in love. For those seeking more action, “Olympus Has Fallen” has the other kind of sparks flying when Gerard Butler has to save the president from terrorists.
It’s an election year, and presidential campaigns offer no end of cinematic material. Films that capture the drama of the campaign include: “The Ides of March,” starring Ryan Gosling and George Clooney on a campaign trail that turns dirty; “Wag the Dog,” with Dustin Hoffman’s character fabricating a war to cover up a scandal; and Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen team up in “Long Shot,” falling for each other on the campaign trail.
Rent “The American President” on Amazon Prime and “Wag the Do g” on AppleTV. Watch “Olympus Has Fallen” on DirecTV, “The Ides of March” on Max and “Long Shot” on Netflix and Paramount+.
Brewster earned a master’s degree in film and television studies at the University of Glasgow. She can be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.
