For this year’s tribute to James Garner, I drew Jim opposite Jack Lemmon in their roles as two former US presidents in the 1996 comedy, My fellow Americans. Interestingly, the film had originally been planned as another vehicle to reunite Jack Lemmon with his frequent co-star, Walter Matthau, but Walter had to withdraw from the project due to illness at the time. So they brought in Jim as a replacement, and it may have worked out for the better, as the two portrayals seem slyly based on President George Bush Sr. (Jack’s grumpy Russell Kramer) and then President Bill Clinton (Jim’s suave Matt Douglas). Although he was now older, Jim Garner was still a rakish, handsome man, so much of the humor was based on Clinton’s supposed womanizing habits, something Matthau may not have been as successful in achieving.
My fellow Americans It is a decent comedy, although it must be admitted that it was not a success with critics. I won’t go into details about the plot, suffice it to say that both former presidents get together in an attempt to clear their names in a big political trap, ending up on the run from sinister Deep State figures who are trying to silence them, but there’s great on-screen comedic chemistry between these old pros, Garner and Lemmon, and they’re a lot of fun to watch! What I personally appreciate is the even-handedness in the way both the Republican (Lemmon) and Democrat (Garner) are satirized. Both are petty and flawed individuals, who have spent decades in the ruthless game of partisan politics, but as the story progresses we are also shown the touching and human side of both men. As they flee for their lives across the rural landscape, they receive help along the way from good, decent, everyday Americans, voters of both political stripes, but upon hearing their stories, the two former presidents also realize how out of touch they both were with the needs and concerns of average Americans, which shames them as they realize how poorly they had been served while in office. Frankly, I don’t think this movie could be made as fairly today, as the Hollywood film industry has lost the political balance and impartiality it used to have, and I suspect it would give in to the temptation to turn it into an ax to grind against the Republican while portraying the Democrat as a virtuous hero. As things are, I’m glad that My fellow Americans is so even-handed with his satirical commentary and allows the humanity of both men to shine through at the end of the film. We could use more of that kind of goodwill in our current entertainment.
Here is the trailer for those who may be interested in seeing the film: