Post by Forever Xena on Sept 26, 2005 8:30:15 GMT -6
An executive branch out for Geena Davis
Accidental President (BOB D?AMICO/ABC)
Sep 25, 2005
TV REVIEW
'Commander in Chief.'
CAST: Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland, Kyle Secor, Ever Carradine.
WHERE AND WHEN: The ABC drama debuts at 9 p.m. Tuesday, its regular slot on WFTV-Channel 9.
PARENTS' GUIDE: Coarse language.
Meryl Streep or Glenn Close would be logical casting as the first female U.S. president: But Geena Davis?
The Accidental Tourist and Thelma & Louise were hardly preparation for the Oval Office. Davis ascends to the White House anyway as Mackenzie Allen in ABC's slick, earnest Commander in Chief, debuting Tuesday.
What we have here is "The Accidental President.'' As a stunt, a conservative male presidential candidate picked Allen, a political independent, as his running mate. After the president suffers a massive stroke and dies, Allen must quickly assert herself to quell widespread doubt.
Commander in Chief presents an idealistic view of the presidency. That approach has worked extraordinarily well for NBC's The West Wing, which begins its seventh season Sunday.
If President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) started as an alternative to Bill Clinton, President Allen represents a sharp contrast to President Bush. With Bush's poll numbers down, viewers might cotton to this simplistic, feel-good portrait.
The series comes from Rod Lurie, who wrote and directed The Contender, a 2000 drama about the fight over a female senator becoming vice president. To his credit, Laurie treats female characters with rare respect.
He gives President Allen soaring rhetoric, which the show accentuates with soaring music. He lets her reveal her resolve in an African crisis and her savvy in standing up to political enemies. She has a doozy of a foe in condescending Rep. Nathan Templeton (Donald Sutherland), the speaker of the House.
Commander in Chief imagines the ultimate test of a woman balancing career and family. Not only must Allen lead the country, but she must buck up her uneasy husband, Rod (Kyle Secor). They must help their three children -- teen twins of each sex and a 6-year-old girl -- adjust to the heightened attention. President Allen's pouty older daughter, Rebecca (Caitlin Wachs), dislikes mom's politics.
The premiere suggests that Commander in Chief could fall into a rut, with Allen triumphing every week and thwarting foes. Lurie says her independent manner will cause her problems, but she will be a president everyone can admire.
The bigger problem: Will she be a character viewers care about? Embodied by Davis, President Allen comes off as stylish, smart and usually bland. Davis bristles well in moments of controlled fury, but the juiciest moments go to other actors.
Sutherland oozes fascinating contempt -- he's more fun to watch than Davis when the new president takes the oath of office. Homicide alum Secor humorously bumbles his way through becoming the first first gentleman.
More familiar duties fall to Davis: She must deliver a big speech that unites the country. Speechifying could be another pitfall for Commander in Chief. Will it be a glossy show that panders to the audience or a thoughtful drama that pushes viewers to think about government? Do such shows help explain politics or raise unrealistic expectations?
Maybe Davis will grow into the role. Perhaps Commander in Chief will develop into something deeper than a smooth, self-satisfied show. For now, the series enjoys one important asset: impeccable timing.
An executive branch out for Geena Davis
Accidental President (BOB D?AMICO/ABC)
Sep 25, 2005
TV REVIEW
'Commander in Chief.'
CAST: Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland, Kyle Secor, Ever Carradine.
WHERE AND WHEN: The ABC drama debuts at 9 p.m. Tuesday, its regular slot on WFTV-Channel 9.
PARENTS' GUIDE: Coarse language.
Meryl Streep or Glenn Close would be logical casting as the first female U.S. president: But Geena Davis?
The Accidental Tourist and Thelma & Louise were hardly preparation for the Oval Office. Davis ascends to the White House anyway as Mackenzie Allen in ABC's slick, earnest Commander in Chief, debuting Tuesday.
What we have here is "The Accidental President.'' As a stunt, a conservative male presidential candidate picked Allen, a political independent, as his running mate. After the president suffers a massive stroke and dies, Allen must quickly assert herself to quell widespread doubt.
Commander in Chief presents an idealistic view of the presidency. That approach has worked extraordinarily well for NBC's The West Wing, which begins its seventh season Sunday.
If President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) started as an alternative to Bill Clinton, President Allen represents a sharp contrast to President Bush. With Bush's poll numbers down, viewers might cotton to this simplistic, feel-good portrait.
The series comes from Rod Lurie, who wrote and directed The Contender, a 2000 drama about the fight over a female senator becoming vice president. To his credit, Laurie treats female characters with rare respect.
He gives President Allen soaring rhetoric, which the show accentuates with soaring music. He lets her reveal her resolve in an African crisis and her savvy in standing up to political enemies. She has a doozy of a foe in condescending Rep. Nathan Templeton (Donald Sutherland), the speaker of the House.
Commander in Chief imagines the ultimate test of a woman balancing career and family. Not only must Allen lead the country, but she must buck up her uneasy husband, Rod (Kyle Secor). They must help their three children -- teen twins of each sex and a 6-year-old girl -- adjust to the heightened attention. President Allen's pouty older daughter, Rebecca (Caitlin Wachs), dislikes mom's politics.
The premiere suggests that Commander in Chief could fall into a rut, with Allen triumphing every week and thwarting foes. Lurie says her independent manner will cause her problems, but she will be a president everyone can admire.
The bigger problem: Will she be a character viewers care about? Embodied by Davis, President Allen comes off as stylish, smart and usually bland. Davis bristles well in moments of controlled fury, but the juiciest moments go to other actors.
Sutherland oozes fascinating contempt -- he's more fun to watch than Davis when the new president takes the oath of office. Homicide alum Secor humorously bumbles his way through becoming the first first gentleman.
More familiar duties fall to Davis: She must deliver a big speech that unites the country. Speechifying could be another pitfall for Commander in Chief. Will it be a glossy show that panders to the audience or a thoughtful drama that pushes viewers to think about government? Do such shows help explain politics or raise unrealistic expectations?
Maybe Davis will grow into the role. Perhaps Commander in Chief will develop into something deeper than a smooth, self-satisfied show. For now, the series enjoys one important asset: impeccable timing.
An executive branch out for Geena Davis
