TOP FIVE FICTIONAL U.S. PRESIDENTS

Escapism -- the solution for the current political climate.
by Loren A. Roberts (guru of multi-hyphenate media)

We’ve barely started the downhill stretch to election day this Fall, and I'm already done: I don't want to hear any more mostly-true-but-really-a-lie rhetoric from either side. So what's a election burn-out kid to do? Escape to fiction. Here’s a list of my favorite fiction POTUS's:

5. President Andrew Shepherd, The American President (1995). Michael Douglas is pretty good as an earnest guy looking for love, who also happens to be the president. The combination of Rob Reiner (director) and Aaron Sorkin (screenplay) made for a well-crafted film.

4. President Tom Whitmore, Independence Day (1996). I know Will Smith (and Harvey Fierstein, and Jeff Goldblum, ooo, and Brent Spiner cameo) was the reason to see this movie, but Bill Pullman pulled off a nice president for this ultra-patriotic fare. Seriously. I watched this movie on opening night in a packed-out theater in a small Texas military town, and it was the awesomest experience. I'm sure it would have been different if I was in jaded Hollywoodland...

3. President James Marshall, Air Force One (1997). Harrison Ford, in a totally believable role for him, but a totally unbelievable role for a U.S. president. Oh well. Special mention goes to the president’s daughter played by Liesel Matthews, who two years earlier nailed the lead role in Alfonso Cuaron’s incredible A Little Princess.

2. President Laura Roslin, Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009). I can’t say everything I would like to about her character in this one little paragraph, but this should tell you enough: I always had a love/hate relationship with Mary McDonnell before BSG. Once I saw what she could do with this much wonderfulness (thank you Ron Moore and David Eick) I loved her flat-out.

1. Jed Bartlet, The West Wing (1999-2006). What can I say -- I loved not only the president, but also the entire oh-so-good cast. Sorkin crafted such a powerful show that I had “conservative” friends who still loved the show.

Honorable mention goes to Kevin Kline with Dave. Sweet and beautiful.

LOREN A. ROBERTS produces films, videos and music, designs magazines and logos, plays and sings in a rock-and-roll tribute band, and is a student of what happens when science and technology and the arts and culture collide. www.hearkencreative.com
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Comments

[Joanna Syiek (Director/Producer/Blogger)]

#3 and #4 are some of my favorites too. Perfect list of escapism picks! If only a few of these guys (and gal) were in the running.