It is IMPOSSIBLE to watch this in a post-THE WEST WING world and not see it as a pilot for the West Wing that was made into a movie instead. The entire script sets up so many things about the show from the old lady secretary to the attitudes of the main characters. Martin Sheen is essentially playing Leo McGarry (even though it is impossible to not see Jed Bartlet when he says Sorkin dialogue in the Oval Office). Annette Bening is so adorable. I love how much levity she brings to the film with her personality. I feel like if they made this for a younger person at the time, it feels like a role Meg Ryan or Sandra Bullock would have played. Another thing to note is that Michael Douglas and Martin Sheen are so similar in terms of look and style, that it seems insane to cast them to play the President and Chief-of-Staff. They are both great actors, but it would be nice to see some variation in type. The rest of the cast is pretty great especially Michael J. Fox. The final speech is amazing, but the end of it is a little too sappy for my taste. The great thing about the script as well is it is funny and cute despite being about getting votes for bills to go through congress.
