My Fellow Americans (1996)

Two former U. S. Presidents, hated rivals, join forces to expose the current, corrupt President at the risk of their lives.

Director:

Peter Segal

Writers:

E. Jack Kaplan (story), Richard Chapman (story)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, James Garner, Dan Aykroyd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	President Russell P. Kramer
James Garner	...	President Matt Douglas
Dan Aykroyd	...	President William Haney
John Heard	...	Vice President Ted Matthews
Wilford Brimley	...	Joe Hollis
Lauren Bacall	...	Margaret Kramer
Sela Ward	...	Kaye Griffin
Everett McGill	...	Col. Paul Tanner
Bradley Whitford	...	Carl Witnaur
James Rebhorn	...	Charlie Reynolds
Esther Rolle	...	Rita
Conchata Ferrell	...	Woman Truck Driver
Jack Kehler	...	Wayne
Connie Ray	...	Genny
Tom Everett	...	NSA Agent Wilkerson

Storyline

Kramer and Douglas, two former presidents from opposite ends of the political spectrum, become reluctant allies when they become the target of a conspirator in President Haney's administration. The two ex-presidents realize they have an enemy within the government and set out to find evidence that will clear their names. The search takes them across the Southern Appalachians; along the way they meet a homeless couple, thwart kidnapers in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant, and find themselves marching in a gay pride parade.

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Plot Keywords:

president | former president | ex president | voting results | election returns | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about life, liberty and the pursuit of two ex-presidents.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for salty language and innuendo

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. WB Shop / Warner Archive

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

20 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grumpy Old Presidents

Filming Locations:

Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,860,334, 22 December 1996

Gross USA:

$22,313,201

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,313,201

Company Credits

Production Co:

Peters Entertainment, Storyline Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the book that former Democrat President Matt Douglas (James Garner) wrote was "The Challenging Years" whilst the names of some of the seven books that former Republican President Russell Kramer (Jack Lemmon had written included "Hail to the Chef !", "Read My Tulips", and "Executive Obedience: Learn from the Master".

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Goofs

After President Kramer's grandson went to play hide-n-seek, Kramer tossed aside the squirt gun he had taken from the grandson. Yet later on the helicopter he pulled the squirt gun from his jacket pocket.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Edwin Newman: It has been described as one of the most vicious presidential races in the history of American politics, and one of the closest. The Republican nominee, Senator Russell P Kramer of Ohio, is practically dead even in the polls with his bitter rival, Democratic Governor Matt Douglas of Indiana. To say there is no love lost between these two candidates is a gross understatement. And yet tonight, in spite of their almost overwhelming distaste for each other, one of these men will have ...

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Connections

References Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

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Soundtracks

I Only Have Eyes for You
Written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren
Instrumental version heard at piano bar.

User Reviews

My Fellow Americans: 8/10

Jack Lemmon and James Garner are in top comedic form in My Fellow Americans. They, respectively, play former President Russell Kramer (Republican) and former President Matt Douglas (Democrat), who have spent the last thirty years hating each others guts. "It's always sad when another good Democrat dies," Douglas says to a Secret Service Agent while on the way to the funeral. "I believe that the deceased was a Republican, sir," he replies. To that, Douglas says, "Oh. Then this might not be so bad."

The current President, Haney (Dan Aykroyd) took kickback while Kramer was president. And Haney's trying to pin them on Kramer. Kramer and Douglas both know about it and Haney's going to try to kill them. When that proves unsucessful, Kramer and Douglas end up stranded alone in the middle of nowhere. So the two people, who loathe each other, must work together to tell thier fellow Americans while seeing the effect of their presidency on the general people.

There are too many political movies. There aren't many political comedies. There are even less raunchy political comedies. In fact, it seems that My Fellow Americans should have been raunchier to warrant an R rating. Peter Segal wanted it to be ribald, but it would have been easier to write for if they didn't have an PG-13 rating in mind, so they could open up the humor a little.

I really like the two leads. They had great chemistry together, I thought they actually hated each other. Lemmon and Garner had a great sense of comedic timing. The movie knew it was a comedy, but tried to take itself in a serious way, which has a great result. Other characters, however, pop up and then leave. Kay Griffin (Sela Ward), the reporter, has about two scenes, and Ben just pops up out of nowhere.

It was extremely funny. Its raunch mixed in with tries-to-take-it-serious humor: "Now, if you'll excuse me, my salad's getting cold." I can't really think of anything else to say.

My Fellow Americans is very funny with great leads. Look for it!

My rating: 8/10

Rated PG-13 for salty language and innuendo.