The Reagans

The Reagans from Showtime is a riveting and thoughtfully crafted documentary series that delves into the intricacies of one of America's most celebrated and sometimes polarising political couples. Premiering in 2020, the documentary miniseries offers an engaging and comprehensive analysis of the lives and political careers of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and their indelible impact on the American political landscape. Renowned actor James Brolin serves as the series’s narrator, lending his authoritative voice to navigate the viewers through the many layers and nuances of the Reagan picture.

The series is a masterstroke by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer, who pulls back the curtain on the Reagan White House, breaking it down in fresh perspectives. It is a four-part visual journey that stretches from the Reagan's Hollywood days to the escalations of the Cold War, providing an overview of their trajectory to power and subsequent leadership. On this journey, Tyrnauer probes into the manipulation of image and the semantics of spin, issues that are as still as pertinent and controversial today as they were during the Reagans’ time.

The series casts a critical lens on the political lens of Ronald Reagan's presidency – a presidency marked by soaring popularity rates and significant criticisms alike. It lays bare the Reagan’s uncanny knack for storytelling as well as the charisma and charm that helped them craft a compelling public image. The Reagans doesn’t shy away from wrestling with controversies either, including the Iran-Contra scandal, their approach towards the AIDS epidemic, and the question of the Reagan’s use of political theatre.

Judy Davis, widely acknowledged for her ability to enliven historical characters, lends her impressive vocals to provide voice-over for Nancy Reagan, bringing to life the woman who was uniformly lionised and criticised for her role as a supportive wife and a shrewd adviser in her husband's presidential tenure. This nuanced portrayal of Nancy Reagan humanises her, diving deeper into her motivations, ambition, insecurities and her undeniable influence that reshaped the traditional role of the First Lady.

The Reagans is incredibly engaging, not just in its subject matter of one of the most charismatic political couples that reshaped America, but in its ability to make the narrative relevant to today's world. It poses questions about the power of celebrity in politics, the crafting of political narratives, and the blurred lines between truth and artifice - issues that resonate in the present as much as they did in the Reagan era.

In The Reagans, Tyrnauer provides viewers with a balanced and informed narrative, explaining the impact of their policies on a diverse set of Americans. It's an immersive visual experience embellished with a rich collection of archival footage, rare photographs, White House entries, and candid interviews with those inside the Reagan inner circle as well as their critics.

The Reagans offers viewers more than just a history lesson. It encourages them to delve into the complexities of political image-crafting and the lasting impact of the Reagan administration. The series portrays the Reagans as multi-dimensional figures, providing a comprehensive understanding of the public figures that they were, and the private individuals they remained away from the glitz and glamour of the political arena.

All in all, The Reagans is a compelling examination of the art of politics and the politics of image-making. It’s a series that does more than just provide a biography of two of the most influential figures in modern American politics. It uses the Reagans' story to prompt viewers to question and understand the nature and influence of power, shaping an opinion of their own on one of America’s most famous power couples. Through the four episodes, viewers find themselves on a riveting journey that showcases how politics, power, and charisma intersect, giving way to a narrative that's as engaging as it is enlightening.