Ronald Reagan: An American Journey

Robert Kline's feature-length documentary covers Ronald Reagan's political career in a straightforwardly chronological fashion, beginning with his famous television address on behalf of Barry Goldwater in 1964 and proceeding up through his second presidential term. But anyone seeking a balanced, critical assessment of the 40th president should look elsewhere, as this film is an unabashed panegyric that treats such embarrassing events as the Iran-Contra scandal and the 1985 visit to the Bitburg military cemetery in Germany with the briefest and most dismissive of mentions, and even handles some key episodes like Reagan's challenge to Gerald Ford in the Republican primaries in 1976 in only a cursory manner. The major strength of Kline's portrait is the extensive archival footage incorporated—in particular, long excerpts from the speeches in which Reagan excelled (presented in the most favorable light, to be sure, but historically significant nonetheless). From a distance of more than two decades, Reagan's optimism can seem blind and his neglect of nuance troubling, but he was definitely a transformational figure in American political life, and for those who want to celebrate his accomplishments, this uncritical production will serve. Others will prefer a more comprehensive, judicious treatment such as the four-hour PBS American Experience documentary Reagan. An optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)