The quiet, charming town of Mooseport, Maine is invaded by the former president of the country in this Capraesque comedy starring Ray Romano and Gene Hackman. Monroe "The Eagle" Cole (Gene Hackman) is a hugely popular Clinton-era former president, who retires to bucolic Mooseport, Maine after a bitter divorce from his wife (.. Read more
| Starring | Gene Hackman, Ray Romano, Marcia Gay Harden, Maura Tierney |
|---|---|
| Director | Donald Petrie |
| Genres | Comedy |
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The quiet, charming town of Mooseport, Maine is invaded by the former president of the country in this Capraesque comedy starring Ray Romano and Gene Hackman. Monroe "The Eagle" Cole (Gene Hackman) is a hugely popular Clinton-era former president, who retires to bucolic Mooseport, Maine after a bitter divorce from his wife (Christine Baranski). Coincidentally, Mooseport is in need of a new mayor and Cole steps in to what he thinks will be a one-man race and a much-needed publicity boost. However, local handyman and plumber Handy Harrison (Ray Romano) has entered the race as well, complicating the no-contest election. Handy is a beloved Mooseport local, well-liked but incapable of committing to his long-time girlfriend Sally Mannis (Maura Tierney). Sally has spent the last seven years waiting for Handy to propose and so, when a smitten Cole asks her out on a dinner date, she eagerly accepts in hopes of making Handy jealous. It works, turning the race into a personal and political rivalry as Handy fights not only the mayorship but also to regain Sally's heart. Supporting stars include Marcia Gay Harden and Rip Torn as members of Cole's staff, who help to launch a full-scale campaign in the town of less than a thousand people.
| Starring | Gene Hackman, Ray Romano, Marcia Gay Harden, Maura Tierney, Christine Baranski |
|---|---|
| Director | Donald Petrie |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 06 Sep 2004 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
Whatever attractions US TV star Ray Romano possesses fail to transfer to the big screen in this flaccid, by-the-numbers comedy concerning a mayoral race between an ex-president (played by the dependable Gene Hackman) and an average Joe (Romano) in small-town America. A missed opportunity, this is a toothless satire that relies on clichéd characterisation as it lurches from one predictable scene to another. Even the usually reliable Rip Torn and Marcia Gay Harden fail to enliven proceedings and the sentimentality and overlong running time drain what little energy the film had to begin with. You know you're in trouble when director Donald Petrie resorts to endless cutaway shots of cute dogs to try to generate some charm.
I have to say that although i only rate this as 2 stars that's only because as a comedy it should have more laughs. Is very light hearted and could be compared to any other Hugh Grant rom-com. Its very American, Ray Romano is quite annoying(from tv show everybody loves raymond, C4). But Gene Hackman is excellent as the ex-President, just like you expect every political guy to be. All in all watchable, but don't expect too much.
Not a hackman's finest moment by a long shot - and a bit dumb ass in places, but it's an okay nites viewing. And you could imagine the cheesier side of politics and the hype machine working this way......a feel almost good movie!!