Presidential Reunion (2010)

Presidential Reunion Poster

In this Funny or Die short, Barack Obama has the opportunity to meet all the former U.S. presidents from Gerald Ford to George W. Bush, dead or alive, who'll help him to figure out America's current politics and problems while talking about political issues from the past. But maybe they aren't the best choices to help him out.

Overview
"Presidential Reunion" is a 2010 brief comedy video produced by the non-profit organization, Funny or Die. It is directed by Ron Howard and features a star-studded cast, including Saturday Night Live veterans. It makes a satirical commentary on the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA).

Plot
The video starts with President Barack Obama (played by Fred Armisen) in the Oval Office pondering over the future of the CFPA. Consequently, the ghosts of former presidents visit him, comparable to Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol".

The first to appear is President Bill Clinton (Darrell Hammond), who voices his assistance for the CFPA and emphasizes the need for a monetary referee. He discusses the financial boom throughout his presidency, having the perspective that his policies were useful despite scandals.

Next, President George W. Bush (Will Ferrell) materializes, bringing a comedic touch as he shows confusion about the funny sketches and the purpose of the CFPA. He takes a relatively indifferent position, showing the monetary industry's absence of guideline during his term.

President George H.W. Bush (Dana Carvey) then appears, nostalgically recalling his term and reflecting on the deregulation performed throughout his presidency. The appearance of President Jimmy Carter (Dan Aykroyd) follows, who reveals remorse for not controling the banks more while in workplace.

President Ronald Reagan (Jim Carrey) is the last to appear, introducing a striking change of tone. He aggressively insists that deregulation is the very best policy which federal government intervention must be decreased to the minimum. As the ghost of Reagan vanishes, he leaves Obama puzzled regarding what ought to be his next move.

Comical Elements
The sketch is both a political satire and a burlesque funny. Each actor impersonates a president, not simply in look but in quirks and tendencies, to add humor and develop caricatures of each president. The reality that these well-known personalities share a reunion in this context makes the viewers participated in the plot.

Vital Reception and Impact
Although some critics found the humor in "Presidential Reunion" a little required and stereotyped, a lot of appreciated the message about the need for better monetary guideline. It was favored by audiences for its ingenious method of interacting an essential concern, thanks to the compelling representations of the presidents and the funny originated from their interactions.

Regardless of being a short video, "Presidential Reunion" had an impact on viewers generally due to its star-studded cast and humor, successfully triggering discussion on serious subjects. Utilizing comedy for political and financial commentary certainly made the complicated problem more tasty to a broader audience.

Conclusion
"Presidential Reunion" effectively shows how comedy and home entertainment can be utilized to discuss important societal problems. Its satirical take on the past presidents and their policies supplies a distinct viewpoint on financial policy, making it an entertaining viewing experience. The film somewhat streamlines the complexities of monetary regulation for audiences' understanding while emphasizing the importance of better policies for the economy. It is not simply a comedy sketch but likewise a political statement.

Top Cast

  • Will Ferrell (small)
    Will Ferrell
    George W. Bush
  • Jim Carrey (small)
    Jim Carrey
    Ronald Reagan
  • Dana Carvey (small)
    Dana Carvey
    George H.W. Bush
  • Dan Aykroyd (small)
    Dan Aykroyd
    Jimmy Carter
  • Chevy Chase (small)
    Chevy Chase
    Gerald Ford
  • Darrell Hammond (small)
    Darrell Hammond
    Bill Clinton
  • Fred Armisen (small)
    Fred Armisen
    Barack Obama
  • Maya Rudolph (small)
    Maya Rudolph
    Michelle Obama